President Ma Ying-jeou says that different political parties must stand united in asserting Taiwan’s sovereignty over Taiping Island.
Ma was speaking Friday at the foreign ministry where he was giving a talk on the South China Sea disputes to ministry officials. The disputed Taiping Island is the largest of the Spratly Island in the South China Sea. It is under Taiwanese administration, but is subject to rival claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, and China.
Ma said that there are those in Taiwan who argue that the government’s assertions of sovereignty over the island actually serve to further Chinese claim in the area. Ma called the idea “strange”. He said that Taiwan is acting on its own behalf.
Ma also addressed calls from some members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to abandon the island. He said that he spoke with President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, head of the DPP, about the need to overcome political differences in asserting Taiwan’s sovereignty over the island.
According to Ma, Tsai said that these calls from DPP members do not reflect party policy. Ma said he told Tsai that the DPP must remain proactive on upholding Taiwan’s sovereignty in the South China Sea.