Media reports are saying President Ma Ying-jeou will fly to Taiping Island in the South China Sea to proclaim Taiwan’s sovereignty over the island. The reports have said their source for the news was national security personnel.
The island is the largest of the Spratly Islands and is administered by Taiwan’s Kaohsiung County. But it is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The reports said President Ma will proclaim his South China Sea Peace Initiative during his trip to the island. Taiwan’s construction on the pier has been completed and President Ma will host the opening ceremony. If he does make the trip, Ma will be the second president of Taiwan to go to the island. The first was former President Chen Shui-bian who went in February 2008.
The presidential office said on Tuesday that President Ma has already proclaimed Taiwan’s sovereignty over the Taiping Island so a trip to the island is a possibility.
Defense ministry spokesman David Lo said on Tuesday that he was not able to comment on the reports.