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Taiwan envoy: Spratlys belong to us

By Michael Caber

The Manila Standard

28 June 2008

A Taiwanese ambassador yesterday reaffirmed his government's claim on the Spratly Islands, saying that Taipei has sovereign authority over the disputed islands in the South China Sea.

Ambassador Donald C.T. Lee of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, said at a press conference that his government’s position is non-negotiable: ‘There is no doubt that the islands belong to Taiwan and there is no room for negotiation for that.”

Lee said that Taiwan has a military presence in the contested archipelago. “We have coast guard, boats, military personnel in the area.”

Lee said that Taiwan had built an airfield in one of the disputed Spratly Islands which was visited by President Chen Shui-bian.

Earlier, Chen said that “from the beginning, we have had our brothers in the military and coastal patrol stationed here, and we have in succession set up relevant atmospheric, humanitarian and ecological testing facilities, occupying and administering this island for half a century.”

But the Philippine government said the visit made by the Taiwanese officials to the Spratlys violated the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The declaration was signed by China, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

The Spratly Islands, with more than 100 rocky islets, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea, are claimed in full or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas deposits.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the Philippines expressed “serious concern” and called the inauguration ceremony “lamentable.”

“It is unfortunate that Taiwan is resorting to what may be considered as irresponsible political posturing that could be of no possible advantage to the peace-loving Taiwanese people,” Romulo said in a statement.

China and Vietnam also expressed concern and backed the Philippine government position on Spratlys issue.

However, Lee, when asked about a possible conflict with China regarding the issue, said that the Taiwan and China now have not considered the use of force. Taiwan wanted to establish stable relations.

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