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Taiwan reiterates sovereignty over Spratly Islands

ROC Central News Agency

2011/07/20 19:20:33

By Nancy Liu

Taipei, July 20 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, shortly after Philippine lawmakers made a trip there to declare their country's ownership.

"The Spratlys and the surrounding waters are the undisputable territory of the Republic of China," said MOFA spokesman James Chang.

"The government advocates shelving the disputes and jointly developing the area's resources with neighboring countries, on the principles of peace and reciprocity," he said.

Asked whether the MOFA would lodge a protest with Manila over the Philippine lawmakers' claim, Chang said that possibility was being contemplated.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila expressed "deep concern" over the actions by the Philippine lawmakers, according to news reports.

Five Philippine congressmen landed on one of the Spratly islands Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. and ceremoniously raised their country's flag there, according to news reports.

The Spratlys consist of a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, and atolls in the South China Sea. Reportedly rich in crude oil and other natural resources, the islands are claimed either entirely or in part by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.