TAIPEI: A Taiwanese official has called for a peaceful settlement of maritime disputes in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

Joseph S.C. Hua, director-general of Taiwan’s Department of Cultural and Educational Affairs at the Mainland Affairs Council, on Wednesday said Taiwan’s peaceful approach to resolving maritime disputes with Japan and the Philippines “can be applied in settling issues in the South China Sea to create a winning situation for all parties.”

“In fact, [Taiwanese] President Ma [Ying-jeou] already said the countries involved in the South China Sea could also use his formula [in settling maritime issues] in East China Sea,” Hua told The Manila Times.

He was referring to President Ma’s proposal, the East China Sea Peace Initiative, which aims to address disputes over the Diaoyutais, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan.

The island group, which is also being claimed by China and Taiwan, has been under Japan’s administrative control since 1972.

Read more: http://www.manilatimes.net/taiwan-formula-may-settle-sea-dispute/177745/