Foreign Press Liaison Office
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Email: fplfbi@mofa.gov.tw Mobile: 0919-277-555
Tel: (02)2380-5683 0910-150-917
Fax: (02)2311-2519
Background Information
Nov. 25, 2013
East China Sea Peace Initiative viable model for regional peace
The East China Sea Peace Initiative, proposed on Aug. 5, 2012, by President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (ROC), provides a viable empirical model for peaceful resolution of regional disputes, especially following Beijing’s Nov. 23, 2013, announcement that it has established an “East China Sea air defense identification zone.”
The day after the announcement, the ROC National Security Council issued a press release reaffirming ROC sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands, outlining the East China Sea Peace Initiative and measures to ensure the safety of ROC airspace, and stressing that the government is deeply concerned about regional developments and will maintain close contact with all parties.
The disputed ADIZ includes the Diaoyutais, claimed by the ROC, Japan and mainland China. Beijing’s declaration has drawn strong responses from Washington and Tokyo, warning of escalating tensions and potential for conflict in the region.
With the risk of an incident rapidly increasing, the ROC calls on all parties to adhere to the pragmatic approach of the East China Sea Peace Initiative, which has proven its viability in the Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement that was signed April 10, 2013.
The initiative, in line with the government’s commitment to acting as a peacemaker, urges all parties to replace confrontation with dialogue, shelve territorial disputes through negotiations, formulate a code of conduct in the East China Sea and engage in joint development of resources.
By emphasizing cooperation over conflict and refocusing attention on the sharing of economic resources, the initiative can help parties rise above nationalism and territorial claims, and see beyond their own interests in order to safeguard regional peace and stability.
