The United States should mediate the territorial dispute between Taiwan and the Philippines for its own interests as well as for the South China Seas region. Taiwan and the Philippines have reached a diplomatic impasse after a Taiwanese fisherman was shot dead on May 9 by the Philippine Coast Guard in waters claimed by both sides. Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s personal apology was not accepted by Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who regarded it insincere for the lack of official representation and compensation. Taipei held naval drills in waters near the Philippines and launched a series of sanctions to urge Manila to negotiate a resolution, which is, at the moment, nowhere in sight.