Former President Ma Ying-jeou has written a letter to the media about how he believes President Tsai Ing-wen should secure Taiwan’s sovereignty over Taiping Island.
Taiping is the largest natural island in the South China Sea’s disputed Spratly chain. Though Taiwan has effective administration over Taiping, the Spratlys are also claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.
A court in The Hague ruled Tuesday that Taiping does not qualify as an island under international law. The decision, part of a larger ruling on a dispute between China and the Philippines, has resulted in protests from Taipei.
In his letter, Ma said that the interior ministry should delineate Taiwan’s claims over the island and surrounding waters. Meanwhile, he said, the foreign and agriculture ministries should express Taiwan’s willingness to open talks with the Philippines on overlapping maritime economic zones. Ma said that until the Philippines agrees to talks, naval vessels that have been withdrawn from the area should return to the island to resume patrols.
In his letter, Ma also called for the transportation ministry to extend the island’s runway, and for the education ministry to incorporate the island into the school curriculum.
The letter has divided lawmakers. Lin Te-fu, Secretary-General of the KMT caucus, said that Ma had written the letter with good intentions. However, leading figures in the Democratic Progressive Party, New Power Party, and People First Party caucuses have questioned the appropriateness of a former president offering advice to a sitting president. The Presidential Office says it will not comment on the letter.