Km. Sun, THE REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA POLICY TOWARD THE SOUTH-CHINA-SEA - A REVIEW, Issues and studies - Institute of International Relations, 32(3), 1996, pp. 40-54
The sovereignty dispute over the Spratly (Nansha) Islands is an intric
ate problem which has long troubled the government of the Republic of
China (ROC) on Taiwan. In the past, passive declaration of sovereignty
was the main course of official policy. It was not until 1993 that, b
ecause of the escalation of tension among the claimant states, the ROC
government adopted a new policy on the issue. The Policy Guidelines f
or the South China Sea is now the basic legal framework for the ROC's
future actions. While welcoming the adoption of the new policy, the au
thor highlights certain problems. First, the main components of the po
licy are outlined. Second, problematic areas are examined, including t
he introduction of the ''historic waters'' argument. Finally, suggesti
ons are made for the improvement of the policy.