This move seriously hurt Taiwan's rights in the Spratly Islands and strictly speaking, this kind of confidential agreement is not legally binding in the international community since it may have a negative impact on the rights of third parties.
Faced with these developments, how could Taiwan not act? Anyone with the barest understanding of how the international community works will see that if Taiwan had not taken action, it would be cut up in the slaughterhouse of international scheming and plotting. Taiwan's constructing an airfield on Taiping Island and Chen's visit cannot be described as Taiwan making a strong stand, but are rather necessary reactions to the international environment.
Taiwan does not offend others, but is still offended by them. If we stand for such behavior, then what else won't we stand for?
Taiwan's suggestion that the Spratlys become the target of environmental protection and conservation measures will lower tension over the islands, as other countries compete to develop oil and natural gas fields in their pursuit of natural resources. This kind of development will destroy the pristine Spratlys, biological habitats on the seabed as well as bird habitats on the islands.
In the 1930s, Japan built a light railway on Taiping and Spratly islands to facilitate the transportation of guano to the transport ships. Documentation shows an abundance of bird species at that time and that there were so many birds they would block the sky when taking flight. These days, there is scarcely a trace of birds on these islands and reefs because they have been scared away by regular military exercises.
Taiwan's call for environmental protection and conservation should be taken seriously by the neighboring countries. China, Vietnam and the Philippines should put an end to their surreptitious exploration of natural resources on these islands and partake in Taiwan's initiative. This would be an important step toward relaxing tension over the islands.
Chen Hurng-yu is a professor at Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Translated by Perry Svensson
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