Taiwan Today
Date: July 20, 2016

President Tsai Ing-wen convened her first National Security Council meeting July 19 at which she

Taiping Island, as well as its surrounding waters, is an inalienable part of ROC territory and the government is committed to safeguarding the nation’s rights in the South China Sea. (CNA)

unveiled the government’s five actions and four principles relating to the recent award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the South China Sea arbitration initiated by the Philippines.

During the NSC meeting, Tsai said the July 12 award’s inappropriate designation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and wrongful classification of Taiping Island as a rock severely jeopardize the rights of the nation. The award is totally unacceptable to the people and has no legally binding force on the ROC, the president added. The ROC will therefore take actions based on four principles.

The first action is that the government will step up patrol missions to safeguard the rights and safety of Taiwan fishermen operating in the South China Sea. Second, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is instructed to enhance multilateral dialogue with other relevant parties on collaboration and consensus.     [FULL  STORY]