TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A group of Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers arrived on Taiping Island in the South China Sea on Saturday (May 18) to observe military exercises and inspect new facilities. 

The group of 10 legislators, which also included Chen Chao-tzu (陳昭姿) of the Taiwan People's Party, arrived at Taiping Island on an Air Force C-130H aircraft that flew from Pingtung on Saturday morning. The group was only on the island for a few hours, enough time to observe some short drills, take a few photos, and enjoy lunch with military personnel stationed on the island, reported CNA. 

Taiping Island, located in the middle of the South China Sea, is technically under administrative control of the Kaohsiung municipal government as part of Cijin District despite being over 1,600 km away. The territory hosts only military and research facilities and is populated almost exclusively by active-duty military personnel. 

Initially, 20 legislators had signed up for the inspection visit, which was promoted as a way to display Taiwan’s sovereignty over the far-flung territory. 

KMT lawmaker Ma Wen-chun (馬文君), as the head of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, led the inspection of the island’s newly refurbished pier. At the time of the inspection, the new pier was harboring the Taiwan Coast Guard’s CG131 Miaoli patrol vessel, per CNA.

During the visit, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Yuan Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) made use of the island’s post office. He reportedly mailed several postcards to political leaders in Taipei with the message that it is their responsibility to maintain peace and sovereignty over Taiping Island and other territory in the South China Sea.

One postcard was mailed to the Presidential Office and addressed to incoming President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). Chiang said that he hopes that Lai will take the opportunity at his inauguration speech to mention Taiping island and reaffirm sovereignty over the region.