A recent survey shows that 82% of Taiwanese support promoting Taiwan’s sovereignty of Taiping Island and marine rights in the area. The island is the largest of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. It is administered by Taiwan but also claimed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The survey by the National Development Council shows that 62% support President Ma Ying-jeou’s trip to the island on January 23 to show that it is an island and not a reef. But 20 percent did not support the move. Also 62% would support President-elect Tsai Ing-wen going to the island to proclaim sovereignty while 16% would not.
The Philippines has already sought to take China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. It argues that China's occupation of the Spratly Islands violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). A ruling is expected in May. This could impinge on Taiwan’s claim to an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles. But 47% surveyed were not aware of this issue.
The government invited international reporters for the first time to Taiping Island last week, and 78% of the public supported this move.
The survey was taken from March 26 and 27 of 1,088 adults.