The Philippines has officially declined an invitation from Taiwan to visit Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island, 太平島) in the disputed South China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday, while rebutting Manila’s argument that Itu Aba is a rock and not an island.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) extended the invitation in March to the Philippines to send government representatives or lawyers to visit Taiping to see the place for themselves, as questions have been raised recently about whether the 0.51km2 Itu Aba, the largest of the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島), can be defined as an island under international law.
Ma also invited the five arbitrators from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, who are dealing with a case brought by the Philippines against China, which has triggered interest in how the land formations in the South China Sea should be defined.
The Philippines formally declined Taiwan’s invitation, while The Hague has yet to respond, the ministry said in a statement.
The Philippines has continued to make statements about Itu Aba that Taiwan considers to be false, which has undermined peace in the region, the ministry said.
Manila is hoping that the court will rule that many of the formations claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea are reefs or rocks, entitled to no more than 12 nautical miles (22.2km) of territorial waters, rather than islands, which generate 200-nautical-mile economic zones.
Such a ruling would negate many of China’s claims to fishing or resource rights in the region.
Taiwan has taken an interest in the case because a lawyer for the Philippines has argued that Itu Aba is not an island, but a rock that cannot support human habitation.
As part of Taiwan’s efforts to seek international support for its stance that Itu Aba meets the definition of an island, it has arranged for international media representatives and experts over the past few months to visit the island to see it for themselves.
Ma also visited Itu Aba in January. The island lies about 1,600km southwest of Kaohsiung.
Itu Aba has its own sources of natural, abundant, potable water, as well as naturally formed fertile soil, as well as fruit, vegetables, chickens and goats that have been raised there, providing ample evidence that it is fit for human habitation and can support an economic life of its own, meeting the definition of an island under international law, the ministry said.
In yesterday’s statement, the ministry once again extended an invitation to the tribunal panel to visit Itu Aba so that it does not make a ruling based on only partial information.
“If the court of arbitration does not respond to our invitation, it should not make a ruling on the legal status of Taiping,” the ministry said.
Should the final ruling undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty over the South China Sea and maritime rights in the region, it would not be legally binding for Taiwan, the ministry said.
The Republic of China government would not recognize or accept such a ruling, it added.
Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim all or part of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, which is thought to be rich in oil and natural gas reserves.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS