President Ma Ying-jeou says his recent visit to Taiping Island was to stress Taiwan’s sovereignty over the island. His comments came Monday during the swearing-in of Taiwan’s new premier and Cabinet members.
Taiwan has effective administration over Taiping Island, which is located in the South China Sea, and it has facilities and personnel stationed there. The island is part of the Spratly archipelago, which is claimed by a number of other countries including the Philippines.
President Ma said Monday that he has the responsibility of expressing Taiwan’s ownership of the island to the world.
“My trip to Taiping Island was appropriate, necessary, and timely. Not only will it not raise tensions in the South China Sea, it will serve to clarify the true state of affairs to the international community and serve as encouragement to all peace-loving countries," said Ma, "I believe our allies are fully aware of this.”
The Philippines filed a claim over Taiping Island in an international court, stating that it is a reef and not an actual island. Ma said that if the court agrees with the Philippines’ claim, Taiwan would lose its ownership over the exclusive economic zone surrounding the island.
Ma said his visit to Taiping Island is the first step to prepare the island for rescue missions, ecological research, and the construction of low-carbon emission infrastructure. He said the ultimate goal is to promote peace in the South China Sea, and not to provoke regional conflicts.