Taiwan’s coastguard will continue its patrol mission around Taiping Island in the South China Sea. That’s the word from Cabinet spokesperson Tung Cheng-yuan on Friday.
Taiping is the largest natural island in the disputed Spratly chain. Though Taiwan has effective administration over Taiping, the Spratlys are also claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Tung discussds the government’s policy after the Hague Tribunal’s verdict earlier this week, which said Taiping and other land features in the Spratlys were not islands but rocks. This affects the economic entitlements of claimant parties.
"There are overlapping islands, rocks or waters near Taiping Island. To avoid triggering conflict, all parties involved in the South China Sea do not demarcate exclusive economic zones there, including Taiwan," said Tung.
"Though the surrounding waters near Taiping are not our major fishing ground, the Coast Guard Administration will continue its mission there to protect the safety of our fishermen.”