2022 Symposium on "Openness and Cooperation: Rules-Based International Order and South China Sea Disputes"
Title of Project: Analysis of the International Situation Around the South China Sea
Duration:2022/03/26~10/31
Name of Principle Investigator:
Dr. Hsiang-Yu Ma
Associate Professor and Director, Department of Ocean and Border Management, National Quemoy University
Symposium Date:2022/06/26
Abstract of Project:
The South China Sea is an important waterway from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Neighboring countries such as mainland China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan all claim sovereignty over the South China Sea islands or some islands and reefs. With mainland China reclaiming land on some islands and reefs in the South China Sea to build artificial facilities and garrisons, the Philippines brought an arbitration case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2013 regarding its territorial dispute with China. With the political wrangling and competition between the United States and China around the South China Sea, tensions in the South China Sea rose accordingly. In response to changes in the international political situation in the South China Sea, research on "Openness and Cooperation: Rules-Based International Order and South China Sea Disputes" was conducted in 2022 to formulate Taiwan's countermeasures or relevant policy recommendations.
There were three topics of the symposium: "Stick to the Inherent Territory: Openness and Challenges," "Peaceful External Environment: National Governments' Positions and Attitudes in the South China Sea," and "International Cooperation: Transnational Diversified Cooperation in Non-Sovereign and Low Sensitive Fields." In addition to affirming that the symposium is an academic exchange platform for discussing South China Sea issues, most scholars agreed that we should use non-traditional diplomacy combined with international order to strengthen international cooperation under the South China Sea policy framework. Moreover, we can elaborate on Taiwan's soft power based on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, promote the new southward political and economic interests, then defend our country's strategic interests in the South China Sea.
Figure 1. A group photo of experts and scholars during the keynote speech sessions
Figure 2. Senior advisor to the president Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao's speech
Figure 3. President I-Chung Lai's speech
Figure 4. Paper writing meeting
Figure 5. The symposium proceedings
