The presidential office is defending President Ma Ying-jeou’s Thursday visit to Taiping Island.
Some critics, mostly opposition politicians, accused the president of "rocking the boat" with his visit to the disputed island in the South China Sea.
Taiping Island is a part of an island chain called the Spratly Islands. While Taiwan has effective administration over the island, the Spratlys are also claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Charles Chen said Saturday that Taiping Island is the territory of the Republic of China, which is Taiwan’s official name. Chen also defended the timing of Ma’s trip, saying that the legal status of Taiping Island is facing tremendous challenges from the Philippines.
Chen said the president’s visit was not only aimed at reasserting Taiwan’s sovereignty but also allowed the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which has become involved in the dispute, to hear Taiwan’s concerns.
Chen said it would greatly damage Taiwan’s interests should Taiping Island be downgraded by PCA to a reef.