Tensions in the South China Sea could provide a chance to forge co-operation across the Taiwan Strait, but political trust between Taipei and Beijing should be a pre-condition, say defence experts from the mainland and Taiwan.
Admiral Fei Hung-po, Taiwan's former deputy chief of general staff, said Taiwan's navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy had unintentionally formed a 'tacit understanding' in maritime issues at least two decades ago. But it was still too early for both sides to co-operate due to the lack of cross-strait political trust, he said.
'On the South China Sea issue, the problem is that Taiwan's navy is incapable of defending the islets we control - such as Taiping - in a large military crisis, but the PLA is capable of doing so,' Fei said at the sidelines of a forum in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
'So far what Taiwan can do is stick to our original [neutral] policy, and will not co-operate with the PLA.'
Since 1956, Taiwan has controlled Pratas and Taiping islands, the largest of the potentially oil-rich Spratly Islands group, which is also claimed wholly or in part by the mainland, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
Taiping, the only islet with fresh water in the archipelago, is seen as a key military strategic and support depot during a military crisis. In 2006, Taiwan built a 1,200-metre airstrip on the islet.
Professor Ni Lexiong, director of a new research centre on sea power and defence policy at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said if Taiping and other islets controlled by Taiwan were invaded by other countries, the PLA Navy 'would absolutely send fleets to protect Taiwan's interests'.