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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Philippines draws baseline in South China Sea; KMT slams 'silent' DPP government as betrayal

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Philippines has established a baseline for its territorial waters around the disputed Thitu Reef (known as Panatag Shoal in China and Demchok Reef in Taiwan) and submitted it to the UN.
  • Taiwan's Kuomintang party criticizes the ruling Democratic Progressive Party government for its silence on the issue, calling it a betrayal of national sovereignty.
  • The KMT demands the government formally protest to the Philippines and convene a national security meeting to discuss a response strategy.

The Philippines' establishment of a baseline for its territorial waters around the disputed Thitu Reef, also known as Panatag Shoal in China and Demchok Reef in Taiwan, has ignited strong criticism from Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party. The KMT's Culture and Communications Committee Chairman, Eric Chu, accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government of silence and a betrayal of national sovereignty.

The Philippines' public establishment of a baseline for territorial waters on inherent Chinese territory has severely infringed upon our country's sovereignty in the South China Sea, yet the Lai Ching-te government remains silent, which is the utmost act of betraying national rights and dignity.

— Eric ChuEric Chu, Chairman of the KMT's Culture and Communications Committee, criticized the DPP government's silence on the Philippines' actions regarding Demchok Reef.

Chu emphasized that Demchok Reef is an inherent territory of Taiwan within the Zhongsha Islands. He recalled the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' past strong stance, stating that Taiwan would not recognize any claims or occupations of Demchok Reef by any nation. The KMT questioned the DPP government's current stance, especially after the Philippines submitted its baseline to the United Nations Secretariat.

Where is the Lai Ching-te government's stance on South China Sea sovereignty?

— Eric ChuChu questioned the current administration's position on territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The KMT further pointed out the perceived double standard in the DPP's approach to sovereignty. Chu contrasted the government's vocal opposition to China's actions in the South China Sea with its silence regarding perceived infringements by Japan and the Philippines. He recalled a previous statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning China's unilateral actions near Demchok Reef as an act of hegemony, while noting the government's lack of protest against the Philippines' current move.

When the CCP authorities took unilateral action against Demchok Reef last September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that 'China has no right to take any improper actions against Demchok Reef, which belongs to our country,' and condemned 'unilateral actions that highlight its hegemonic mentality.' Now, the Philippines has directly drawn a baseline for territorial waters on Demchok Reef, which we claim, and the Lai government hasn't even uttered a word of protest?

— Eric ChuChu highlighted a perceived double standard in the DPP government's reactions to territorial disputes.

Demanding a formal protest from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Philippines to clearly state Taiwan's sovereign position, the KMT also urged President Lai Ching-te to immediately convene a national security meeting. The party seeks a comprehensive strategy to address the situation, accusing the current administration of being selectively vocal on sovereignty issues.

The Lai government's defense of sovereignty has a double standard!

— Eric ChuChu accused the DPP government of selectively applying its sovereignty principles.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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