Taiwan’s talks with China and Japan are a good example of how to resolve disputes, Australian Minister of Defense David Johnston said on Saturday.
Speaking about the territorial disputes in the South China and East China seas, Johnston said at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that it is not acceptable to change the “status quo” through the use of force or coercion.
He highlighted the importance of the rule of law, saying that every country should follow international rules to resolve territorial issues.
Johnston cited Taiwan’s approach as an example of following the rule of law, as well as efforts by Indonesia and the Philippines to reach consensus over disputed marine zones.
In a session on managing strategic tensions, the Australian defense minister said that Taiwan and Japan are moving in the same direction.
The minister also mentioned talks between the nation and China.
During the session, Vietnamese Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh said he hopes the leaders of China and Vietnam can meet to discuss their dispute over territory in the South China Sea.
China’s deployment of an oil rig in an area of the South China Sea claimed by Vietnam has led to escalating tensions between the two nations, with anti-Chinese sentiment in the Southeast Asian country resulting in riots in the middle of last month.
More than 400 Taiwan-owned factories in southern Vietnam were affected by the riots, including 24 that were set on fire, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.
Thanh said Vietnam is considering various options, but will not resort to international law, namely the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, unless there are no other solutions.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is being held by the International Institute for Strategic Studies for defense ministers in the Asia-Pacific region.
This year’s event opened on Friday and concluded yesterday.
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