Interior Minister Chen Wei-zen says he hopes a survey conducted on Taiwan’s territory will bolster the government’s claims to disputed offshore islands. Chen was speaking Friday at an event introducing the survey conducted between 2011 and 2015 by the interior ministry.
Chen said maritime disputes in the South China and East China seas in recent years have jeopardized regional safety and intensified the rivalry between countries with competing claims.
Chen said he hopes the survey will further substantiate Taiwan’s sovereignty over islands such as Taiping Island in the South China Sea.
“While it seems that these are minor problems, there are disputes over what constitutes an island or an atoll in the international community," said Chen.
"I think our survey will further lay the foundation for our claim to disputed [islands] in the international community.”
Chen said the argument of the Philippines that Taiping is a reef, not an island, is groundless. Taiping, which is held by Taiwan, is the largest natural island in the contested Spratly island group.