MOFA response to Philippines’ enactment of domestic laws and China’s announcement of maritime baselines regarding South China Sea

November 12, 2024

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., signed into law the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act on November 8. Subsequent to this, China announced both the baselines of territorial waters around Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and standard names and geographic coordinates for 64 islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

The government of the ROC (Taiwan) solemnly states that the Philippines' enactment of the two aforementioned domestic laws and China's demarcation of the baselines of territorial waters around Huangyan Island and the naming of certain islands and reefs in the South China Sea do not change the fact that the South China Sea islands are part of ROC (Taiwan) territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stresses that the territorial sovereignty of the ROC (Taiwan) is indisputable and that the ROC (Taiwan) will staunchly safeguard its sovereign rights over territory and relevant waters in the South China Sea.

MOFA points out that, in accordance with a related announcement previously issued by the Executive Yuan, Taiwan's rights with regard to its territorial sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their relevant waters as accorded by international law and the law of the sea will not be impacted whatsoever by any country's unilateral claims. It expresses grave concern over the Philippines and China escalating disputes in the South China Sea, which undermines regional peace and stability. MOFA urges all parties to exercise restraint and peacefully resolve South China Sea issues through multilateral dialogue and dispute settlement mechanisms, and it calls for Taiwan's inclusion in such dialogue and mechanisms on the basis of equality.

MOFA reiterates that the position of the ROC (Taiwan) on South China Sea issues is as follows:

1. The South China Sea islands are part of ROC (Taiwan) territory. That the ROC (Taiwan) is entitled to all rights over the South China Sea islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea is beyond dispute.

2. The ROC (Taiwan) supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. It strongly maintains that disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of sea (including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and that it should be included in related multilateral dialogue and dispute settlement mechanisms.

3. The ROC (Taiwan) will uphold the four principles and five actions. On the basis of setting aside differences and promoting joint development, it is willing to work with all countries to safeguard and advance peace and stability, as well as to jointly protect and develop resources, in the South China Sea.

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