Taiwan opposes ‘freedom voyage’

MANILA, Philippines - Taiwan has opposed the visit of a group of Filipino protesters to the Philippines’ Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea, calling the “freedom voyage” illegal. 

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the visit by the student volunteer group Kalayaan Atin Ito to Pag-asa Island on Dec. 27 and other activities by the Philippines in the South China Sea impair peace and stability in the region and infringe upon Taiwan’s sovereignty.

“The ROC government adamantly opposes, and strongly protests, any illegal activities undertaken by the Philippine government or Philippine civil organizations on ROC islands in the South China Sea which infringe upon ROC sovereignty and impair peace and stability in the region,” the Foreign Ministry said, referring to itself as the Republic of China or ROC.

The ministry added Taiwan will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate and lawful rights in the South China Sea.

Whether from the perspective of history, geography or international law, Taiwan asserted the Spratly (Nansha) Islands, Paracel (Shisha) Islands, Macclesfield Bank (Chungsha Islands),and Pratas (Tungsha) Islands, all collectively called by Taiwan as the South China Sea Islands, as well as their surrounding waters, are an inherent part of Taiwan territory and waters.