Taiwan Today
Date: July 14, 2016
The recent award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the South China Sea
Premier Lin Chuan sets out the government’s position on the award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration during a Cabinet meeting July 14 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Executive Yuan)
arbitration initiated by the Philippines is inappropriate on three points and the Republic of China (Taiwan) government maintains four positions on the issue, according to Premier Lin Chuan July 14.
“First, the ROC is referred to as ‘Taiwan Authority of China,’ an inappropriate designation that is demeaning to the status of the ROC as a sovereign state,” Lin said.
“Second, Taiping Island was not originally included in the scope of the arbitration, but the tribunal took it upon itself to expand its authority, declaring ROC-governed Taiping Island to be a rock. This decision severely undermines Taiwan’s rights in the South China Sea islands and their waters.”
Third, “during the arbitration process, the tribunal neither consulted with nor invited Taiwan to participate in the case. The award is therefore completely unacceptable and has no legally binding force on Taiwan.” [FULL STORY]