TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday that Taiping Island is an island and that Taiwan has sovereignty over it, CNA reported.
Speaking at a legislative hearing, Lin faced questions from KMT legislators about whether the foreign ministry had defended Taiwan’s South China Sea claims strongly enough.
KMT Legislator Lin Chien-chi (林倩綺) said a recent ministry statement did not reject the 2016 arbitration ruling, identify Taiping Island as an island, or oppose the ruling’s description of Taiwan as a Chinese authority.
Lin said Taiwan had a direct interest in the dispute. He added that Taiwan did not participate in the arbitration and would not accept any outcome that harmed its interests.
“Taiping Island is an island, and that is a fact,” Lin said. He added that Taiwan’s sovereignty over the territory was not in doubt.
Lin said Taiwan sought peaceful solutions through scientific research, humanitarian assistance, and other forms of cooperation. He added that Taiwan opposed negotiations held or agreements reached without its participation.
KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting (牛煦庭) asked how Taiwan would respond to China’s growing activity in the South China Sea. Lin said Taiwan would use international forums to seek support, share information, and expand Coast Guard cooperation with other countries.
Taiwan has not been invited to negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct because it is not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Lin said the foreign ministry would continue participating through academic forums, expert exchanges, and bilateral relations.
Lin said Taiwan wanted countries to set aside disputes and pursue joint development. However, tensions between China and the Philippines made progress on the code of conduct unlikely for now.
