An initiative to preserve peace

Re “China again pressed on islands,” May 31

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is right to worry about the potential of the “militarization” of the South China Sea. As a sovereignty claimant in this region, Taiwan welcomes U.S. efforts to seek peaceful resolution to territorial disputes that involve China.

But attempting to solve the sovereignty issue would be a long and arduous process. Therefore, before a major conflict breaks out, a more pragmatic and forward-looking course of action will need to be taken.

Drawing on past successful resolutions of territorial disputes, on May 26 President Ma Ying-jeou proposed the South China Sea Peace Initiative, which emphasizes the idea that while sovereignty cannot be divided, natural resources can be shared. The initiative calls on all parties to shelve disputes, to refrain froma dopting unilateral measures and to promote joint exploration and resource development.

On that same day, a U.S. State Department spokesmansaid that the United States “appreciated” Ma’s proposal. Certainly, it is our sincere hope that the United States will fully support the initiative as a way to preserve regional peace and stability. Steve C.C. Hsia

Los Angeles The writer is directorgeneral of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles.