KMT accuses Taiwan’s government of failing to uphold South China Sea claims

Opposition parties in Taiwan have criticized the government for not taking a strong stance in defending the island's claims in the South China Sea, following the Philippine government's attempts to define territorial sea baselines around Scarborough Shoal. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) pointed out that the government is hesitant to engage with the Philippines, lodge protests, or take action when faced with similar disputes.

Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Taiwan's claims in the South China Sea remain unchanged and they oppose any attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion. The government emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully under international law, but did not directly address the chart submitted by Manila to the United Nations.

The opposition Taiwan People's Party and other legislators urged the government to respond more firmly, while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defended its approach, stressing adherence to international law. The South China Sea arbitration ruling from 2016, which classified Taiwan-administered Taiping Island as a rock, remains rejected by Taiwan.

Recently, Manila submitted its official nautical chart for Scarborough Shoal to the UN, marking the 10th anniversary of the arbitration ruling. Beijing dismissed the ruling as "a piece of waste paper" and accused Manila of infringing on Chinese sovereignty, escalating tensions in the region.