Foreign Minister David Lee has called on all parties to disputes in the South China Sea to resolve their differences peacefully.
Lee was speaking to lawmakers Wednesday. Lee said that all claimants should set up a multilateral mechanism for resolving disputes in the area. He also said that any such mechanism should include Taiwan and give Taiwan equal status to other claimants.
Lee reiterated the government’s call for all parties to avoid unilateral moves that could raise tensions. He also repeated the government’s stance that all sides should safeguard freedom of navigation through the sea and in the airspace above disputed waters.
Disputes in the South China Sea have come to the fore since a Hague Tribunal ruling on Tuesday on a dispute between the Philippines and China. Taiwan was not a party to the case, but the court’s verdict included a ruling on the status of Taiping Island. The court said that the Taiwan-administered island does not qualify as an island under international law.
In response to lawmakers’ questions, Lee said that the government does not rule out a visit to the island by President Tsai Ing-wen. He also said that the government should consider the feasibility of sending civilians to live on the island.