Taiwan is saying that countries that lay claim to the South China Sea have not made claims on economic zones in the area’s waters. That was the word from government spokesperson Tung Chen-yuan on Tuesday.
There are overlapping territorial claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei in the South China Sea. But Tung said these parties have avoided further conflict by not claiming sovereignty on economic zones in the sea. He said, "The economic waters delineated by each country overlap. Tainan and Taichung have all been drawn as part of the Philippines’ economic zone. So in the South China Sea, the islands and reefs that are claimed have not had economic waters delineated."
Tung said claimant parties should have more dialogue to address their disputes. He also said the Coast Guard would increase patrols to protect fishing rights. Taiwan and the Philippines hold talks every year to discuss fishing rights but it is taking time to reach a consensus.
Taiwan meanwhile maintains its claim of sovereignty over Taiping Island, the largest natural island in the disputed Spratlys. When asked if President Tsai Ing-wen would visit Taiping, he said there are currently no plans but that it is a possibility. He said since the South China Sea is a complicated issue, the government wants to maintain peace and will be careful about any plans it makes.