Taiwan is conducting a live-ammunition military drill on Taiping Island of the Nansha Islands, the first such exercise by Taiwan in the South China Sea since regional disputes escalated this year.
We appreciate this exercise, which helps protect Chinese sovereignty.
Vietnam's protest against Taiwan's drill should be neglected. The Nansha Islands belong to China, which is an unshakable bottom line insisted upon by Chinese society. Taiwan, despite its economic ties with Vietnam and the Philippines, has overcome their opposition and made pragmatic efforts to safeguard Chinese sovereignty.
Territorial issues have remained unaddressed since the first half of last century. They are difficult to approach and solve today, despite rising maritime and sovereignty awareness across Asia.
In recent years, the Chinese mainland has been taking countermeasures to fight provocations over sovereignty by the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan, while also wrangling with the "smart power" diplomacy of the US in the Pacific. But Taiwan has its unique advantages in safeguarding Chinese sovereignty.
The hyping-up of the "China threat" mainly targets the mainland. Taiwan's efforts to protect Chinese sovereignty will not raise excessive suspicions, and it will not be labeled as a "bully."
Meanwhile, Taiwan is close to the Diaoyu Islands, which are under the administration of Taiwan's Ilan county. Taiping Island, the biggest island of the Nansha Islands, is under Taiwan's practical control.
Compared with the mainland, it is easy and convenient for Taiwan to take steps to protect sovereignty.
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