To the central content area
:::
:::

News & activities

News releases

2016-07-12
ROC government position on the South China Sea arbitration

The tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration has rendered its award in the arbitration brought by the Philippines under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The government of the Republic of China stresses that the ROC 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. The arbitral tribunal did not formally invite the ROC to participate in its proceedings, nor did it solicit the ROC's views. The decisions of the tribunal which impinge on the interests of the ROC, especially with regard to the status of Taiping Island, have seriously undermined the rights of the ROC over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters. The ROC government does not accept any decisions that undermine the rights of the ROC, and declares that they have no legally binding force on the ROC.

The ROC government reiterates its firm position that the ROC has sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters. The government will staunchly safeguard the country's territory and sovereignty, and ensure that national interests are not jeopardized.

The ROC government urges that disputes in the South China Sea be settled peacefully through multilateral negotiations. The ROC is also willing, through negotiations conducted on the basis of equality, to work with all States concerned to advance peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Related News
Detail
2026-03-18
President Lai meets St. Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister St. Claire Leacock
On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, D...
Detail
2026-03-17
President Lai meets former President Lech Walesa of Poland   
On the afternoon of March 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former President Lech Walesa of Poland. In remarks, Presid...
Detail
2026-03-17
President Lai meets 2026 Yushan Forum participants
On the afternoon of March 17, President Lai Ching-te met with participants in the 2026 Yushan Forum. In remarks, President Lai emphasized th...
Detail
2026-03-16
President Lai meets Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji
On the morning of March 16, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Japanese House of Representatives Member and Japan-ROC Diet ...
Detail
2026-03-16
President Lai addresses opening of 2026 Yushan Forum
On the morning of March 16, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2026 Yushan Forum, the theme of which was "Indo-Pacific Partn...
Detail
2026-02-12
President Lai interviewed by AFP
In a recent interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), President Lai Ching-te responded to questions regarding Taiwan-Europe and Taiwan-Unit...
Go Top