The government is reasserting its sovereignty over Taiwan and its outlying islands. That’s as China recently released a document stating that it can reclaim sovereignty over Taiwan and its outlying islands at any time. The PRC document explains its stance on the operation of its drilling rig in the Paracel Islands and was given to the UN.
Foreign ministry official Tom Chou said on Tuesday that the UN has not released the document on its official website. National representatives to the UN have also not received it. But he reasserted that Taiwan’s sovereignty is clear.
"This PRC document was from Sept.4, 1958. It was their statement during the 823 artillery bombardment. The content is totally inaccurate. At the time, our country refuted it. Our government does not accept this inaccurate statement. Our firm stance will not change. We will not accept the content and stance of this document," said Chou.
Chou also said that no country can unilaterally claim sovereignty over another nation.
China started drilling its oil rig in May near the Paracel Islands and got into a conflict with Vietnam. One month later, they released their statement explaining the situation to the UN and requested that it be put on the UN agenda. The document contained a part claiming China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and its outlying islands.