ical hurdle that the South China Sea Peace Initiative has been seen as a strategy put forth by the Ma administration and KMT. It may not be easy for the new DPP administration to find the courage to pick up where its rivals left off. This is a weakness on the part of the DPP as well as partisan democratic politics more generally. If the DPP can demonstrate that it has the resolve to carry on the South China Sea peacemaker torch and forge ahead, it will be to the benefit of both parties, the Taiwanese political system, and the other claimants and stakeholders in the South China Sea.
Conclusion Because of its unusual diplomatic status, Taiwan’s policy options in the South China Sea are less straightforward than those of other claimants. Taipei has responded diplomatically to the arbitral proceedings in several ways, including by reiterating its sovereignty claims; raising awareness about its legal and historical perspectives, especially regarding the legal status of Itu Aba (Taiping) Island; reaffirming its commitment to abiding by international law and guaranteeing freedom of navigation and overflight; and positioning itself as a peacemaker in the South China Sea disputes, especially through the South China Sea Peace Initiative launched by the President Ma in May 2015. These diplomatic responses have come in the form of official government documents, leaders’ statements, publications and videos intended for domestic and international audiences, and the implementation of policy. In terms of its security responses, the ROC has maintained a primarily defensive posture, discussed but not acted upon a potential transition of forces stationed on Itu Aba (Taiping) Island, and emphasized in rhetoric and policy that infrastructural developments on its occupied features are mostly for civilian, scientific, environmental, and humanitarian purposes. Although questions remain as to the potential for policy shifts under the new administration, which is set to assume office in May 2016, existing evidence indicates that it is unlikely that there will be any major changes in the short term, but the Tsai administration will have to figure out how to proceed with the incumbent government’s peace initiative. Given the momentum that it has already gained, it will serve both parties and the ROC well if it can find the resolve to keep the initiative alive.
The ROC has emphasized in rhetoric and policy that infrastructural developments on its occupied features are mostly for civilian, scientific, environmental, and humanitarian purposes.
South China Sea Lawfare • 137