Taiwan's only island in the vast body of water in South China Sea might face danger and be put on the hands of other countries.
According to Forbes, Taiwan is on the verge to lose the legal basis for the only island they own and its rights as other countries circle the dispute for the South China Sea. The island is known to be the Taiping Island, a topical islet that's 1,400 meters long and 400 wide.
Alan Romberg, East Asia Program director with Washington think tank the Stimson Center, said "though they are not in any way coordinating their positions, a tribunal decision that Taiping is merely a 'rock' would be a slap at not only Beijing but also Taipei," speaking about the China, Philippines and Taiwan's case. It is notable that Taiwan is not a UN member and that China sees it as part of their territory.
ABC News noted that Taiping Island is described as Taiwan's most substantial presence in the South China Sea which is known as the Itu Aba. It is located roughly 2,000kms south of Taiwan with a population size of 200. These people are mostly military and Taiping Island is the largest naturally occurring island in the region. Despite it being small, the island is subject to assisting navigation and helping vessels.
Now, recent news indicate that China's claims of the South China Sea are in vague terms following the nine-dash line, a U-shaped boundary that loops down from Taiwan as far as Indonesia's Natuna Island. CTV News reported that China's claim to the land was based on the historical and geographical records but, the nine-dash line rule is the most modern one.
This affects Taiwan's claim of its island when Chiang Kai-Shek inherited the island after he has moved his government to the land prior to the communist advancement. Lastly, current president of Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou is trying to hold on to the maritime claim and leave the office looking strong.
