MOFA reasserts Taiwan sovereignty over South China Sea

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday reasserted Taiwan's sovereignty over the South China Sea following the Philippines's recent invitation to foreign investors for oil and gas exploration in the disputed region.

"The Republic of China claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea as it is the inherent territory of the nation," said James Tien, director-general of MOFA's Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs yesterday.

He added that Taiwan has always urged all parties concerned to shelve disputes and work together to jointly explore and share the resources with neighboring countries on the principle of peace and reciprocity.

"We have informed the Philippine authorities of our position," he said.

Tien's comments came after the Philippines government reportedly began seeking bids from foreign investors to jointly explore for gas and oil in areas northwest of the Palawan Islands and Reed Bank.

Manila's decision has already drawn grave protest from China, who also claims sovereignty of the disputed seas.

The MOFA has taken note of Manilas' recent intention to explore the region, but Tien said that according to his understanding, no foreign investors have yet expressed interest in the proposal,.

Asked to comment if the Taiwan government is considering taking more "aggressive" moves to demonstrate its sovereignty, Tien said the MOFA tends to adopt a more moderate and peaceful approach in solving the dispute.

He said the government will continue to devise mild, nonprovocative ways to express its stance to neighboring countries.

Such peaceful demonstration of the nation's stance includes sending students for tours studying the region's ecology, Tien noted.

South China Sea Dispute

Six countries — Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines — all claim total or partial sovereignty over the South China Sea, whose surrounding waters are believed to be rich in oil reserves.

Taiwan controls the Dongsha Islands the largest island group in the South China Sea, as well as Taiping Island  the largest island in the Spratlys archipelago.

Taiwan's Coast Guard has had personnel stationed on Taiping since the marines pulled out in 1999.

The nation's defense minister previously said it is considering deploying missiles to Taipei to beef up defensive capabilities amid the escalating dispute over the region.