The foreign ministry says that it will strengthen efforts to bring international media attention to Taiwan’s position on the South China Sea dispute.
Areas of the South China Sea are subject to conflicting claims by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Taiwan’s South China Sea claims have come to the fore after the Hague Tribunal ruled last week that Taiwan-administered Taiping Island is only a rock. Unlike islands, rocks do not come with a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone and control over resources in nearby waters.
Though Taiwan was not a party to the case, the ruling has drawn protests from both the government in Taipei and ordinary citizens. On Wednesday, a group of lawmakers landed on Taiping Island. On the same day, a group of Taiwanese fishermen also set off for the island in a demonstration of sovereignty.
On Thursday, the foreign ministry said its plan to draw attention to Taiwan’s position on the dispute will include writing letters to international media outlets and giving interviews.