A group of four fishing boats has left Taiping Island after a journey to assert Taiwanese sovereignty over surrounding waters.
Taiping is the largest natural island in the disputed Spratly group in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s military maintains control over the island, though the Spratlys are also claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. A coast guard vessel has escorted the boats through disputed waters since they set off from southern Taiwan on July 20.
The journey was sparked by the verdict of the Hague tribunal two weeks ago on the dispute brought by the Philippines against China. Part of the ruling stated that Taiping and the other land features of the Spratlys are rocks rather than islands. An island generates a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, compared to only 12 nautical miles for a rock.
The journey was privately organized, and the fishermen did not apply to the military for landing permission as is normally required. However, the coast guard allowed the boats to dock and replenish their stocks of food and water when they arrived on Monday night. Two of the fishermen also received medical attention. The boats departed on Tuesday.
Cabinet spokesperson Tung Chen-yuan has come under criticism for saying Monday that allowing anyone to visit Taiping Island will erode Taiwan’s sovereignty. On Tuesday, Tung clarified his remark, saying that the island is under military administration and that landing on the island without clearance from the military is damaging to national sovereignty.