The leading candidate in Taiwan’s presidential election says she will arrange talks with the countries disputing South China Sea issues.
Recently, Taiwan presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen spoke with a group of foreign diplomats. She said that if she is elected, she will pursue dialogue with Brunei, China, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Each of the countries claims all or parts of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea.
The area is rich in fisheries, shipping lanes and possible fossil fuel reserves. Taiwan controls two of the smaller Spratly islands. China, Malaysia and Vietnam control larger islands that surround them.
China has raised regional tensions by occupying and building on once uninhabitable islands. They have built offshore oil rigs, as well. Tsai Ing-wen says diplomacy is the key to resolving the dispute.