The government yesterday reiterated its sovereignty claim over the South China Sea, after China on Tuesday approved a proposal to create a national nature reserve on a shoal in the disputed area.
The proposal, approved by the People's Republic of China (PRC) State Council, seeks to establish a national nature reserve on the Scarborough Shoal — known as Democracy Reef (民主礁) in Taiwan, Huangyan Island (黃岩島) in China and the Panatag Shoal in the Philippines — which is claimed by all three countries.
Photo: AFP
The proposal has drawn a strong protest from the Philippines, with its foreign ministry saying that it "clearly infringes" on Manila's rights and interests.
In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the South China Sea Islands are part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The Republic of China is entitled to all rights over the South China Sea islands and their waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, which "is beyond dispute," the ministry said in a statement.
The PRC has no right to "illegally and unilaterally" appropriate the so-called reserve area, it said.
"The Chinese government's unilateral move highlights its hegemonic mentality," the ministry said.
This could lead to regional disputes and prove "detrimental to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," it added.
Taiwan's sovereignty claim in the South China Sea would not be affected by the PRC's unilateral decision, it said.
Taiwan is willing to work with regional countries, including the Philippines, to "peacefully resolve disputes through dialogue and in accordance with international law and the law of the sea," the ministry said.
According to China's State Council, the designation of the nature reserve is "an important guarantee for maintaining the diversity, stability and sustainability of the atoll's natural ecosystem."
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