Taiwan's interior minister on Tuesday visited the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Tuesday, to underscore its claim to sovereignty and to establish a climate change research base there, local media reported.
Yeh Jiunn-rong arrived on Taiping, which is known internationally as Itu Abu, accompanied by coast guard and land administration officials, as well as climate change experts and other researchers, the Central News Agency reported.
Among those accompanying him was Chen Chu, mayor of Taiwan's southern city of Kaohsiung that administers Taiping, which is the largest naturally formed island of the Spratly Archipelago and is located some 1,600 kilometers south of Taiwan.
In January, Tsai's predecessor as president, Ma Ying-jeou, made a very public trip there, drawing an expression of concern from the United States, which called it "unhelpful" and not conducive to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.
It preceded last month's ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that rejected China's blanket claim to most of the South China Sea, which is shared by Taiwan in its formal identity as the Republic of China that once ruled China, has no legal basis.
At the same time, the tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippine argument that Taiping and numerous other high-tide features in the Spratlys are legally no more than "rocks," and as such do not justify claims to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
It rejected the tribunal's decisions as "completely unacceptable" and said they "have no legally binding force" on it, while vowing to take "resolute action" to safeguard its territory and maritime rights.
==Kyodo
16/8/16
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Related:
Yeh Jiunn-rong arrived on Taiping, which is known internationally as Itu Abu, accompanied by coast guard and land administration officials, as well as climate change experts and other researchers, the Central News Agency reported.
- In videotaped remarks made at the airport upon his departure for the island and posted on YouTube, Yeh said his visit was aimed at setting up long-term weather observation facilities there and seek opportunities for global cooperation on climate issues.
Among those accompanying him was Chen Chu, mayor of Taiwan's southern city of Kaohsiung that administers Taiping, which is the largest naturally formed island of the Spratly Archipelago and is located some 1,600 kilometers south of Taiwan.
- Asked if Yeh was paving the road for President Tsai Ing-wen to visit the island in the future, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan was quoted by CNA as saying "future visits are not ruled out" but there are currently no such plans.
In January, Tsai's predecessor as president, Ma Ying-jeou, made a very public trip there, drawing an expression of concern from the United States, which called it "unhelpful" and not conducive to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.
It preceded last month's ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that rejected China's blanket claim to most of the South China Sea, which is shared by Taiwan in its formal identity as the Republic of China that once ruled China, has no legal basis.
At the same time, the tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippine argument that Taiping and numerous other high-tide features in the Spratlys are legally no more than "rocks," and as such do not justify claims to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
- Taiwan argues that Taiping is a naturally formed land feature with fresh water and agricultural production, and is thus qualified as an island under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It rejected the tribunal's decisions as "completely unacceptable" and said they "have no legally binding force" on it, while vowing to take "resolute action" to safeguard its territory and maritime rights.
==Kyodo
16/8/16
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-
Related:
Taiwan lawmakers, fishermen protest at disputed S. China Sea island
Taiwanese legislators to visit South China Sea island
Taiwan sends warship to South China Sea after ruling
Mainland, Taiwan must defend South China Sea sovereignty
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