Interior Minister Yeh Jiunn-rong and Coast Guard Administration Minister Lee Chung-wei on Tuesday led a group of officials and researchers to Taiping Island in the South China Sea. The move signals the government’s assertion of Taiwan’s territorial claims after the Hague Tribunal downgraded the status of Taiping from an island to a rock.
Yeh said that the purpose of the trip was to put a new address sign on the island’s Nansha Hospital and to conduct research related to marine ecology and global warming.
"Today, along with the Coast Guard Administration and Kaohsiung City Government, we will register the address Nansha No.2 for Taiping Island," said Yeh.
"We understand that the island is located in a very important position. We hope to do research on marine ecology and to make it a station to for global warming testing. Today, maritime experts and global warming scientists will visit Taiping Island."
Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang also spoke about purpose of the trip:
"I hope that we can work with other agencies to set up long-term testing equipment and share the results of our tests," said Huang.
"We will look for international cooperation in this. This area is what the president said should be strengthened during a recent national security meeting. We can promote international scientific research in the areas of ecology and global warming."
US State Department Spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau responded to Yeh’s visit to the island with the usual US stance. She called on all parties to avoid action that would increase tensions.
Huang noted though that she made that remark in response to reporters’ questions. He also reiterated Taiwan’s sovereignty over the island. As for the possibility of President Tsai Ing-wen visiting Taiping Island, Huang said that currently is no plan for such a visit but she also would not object to it.