The Wall Street Journal has published an editorial written by former President Ma Ying-jeou about the Hague Tribunal’s recent verdict on the South China Sea.
The verdict downgraded the status of Taiping Island, administered by Taiwan, to just a rock. An island is entitled to a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, compared to only 12 nautical miles for a rock.
Taiping is the largest natural island in the disputed Spratly group in the South China Sea. The Spratlys are also claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
Ma called the verdict unfair and unreasonable. He said it lacks due process of law as the Republic of China (Taiwan) government has effectively ruled Taiping Island for the past 70 years. Taiwan was neither invited to participate nor consulted on the case.
He cited that the Chinese (Taiwan) International Law Society filed a 400-page report that shows evidence of ample fresh water, rich agricultural production and a history of human habitation on the island by more than 200 residents since the 1950s.
Ma said he believes that the tribunal members’ absence from the on-site survey of Taiping Island was a key factor behind the ruling. The ruling, Ma said, creates an obstacle rather than a path leading to a peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.