Taiwan has a military force station on Taiping Island, the largest in the Spratly chain. (File photo/CNA)
Taiwan's government voiced strong concerns on Friday against Vietnam's inclusion of two island groups in the South China Sea into its territory.
"Whether looked at from the perspective of history, geography or international law, the Tungsha Islands (Pratas Islands), the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), the Chungsha Islands (Macclesfield Bank) and the Hsisha Islands (Paracel Islands), as well as their surrounding waters, are inherent parts of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan)," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
"There is no doubt that sovereignty (over those island groups) belongs to the Republic of China," the statement read.
The ministry's statement came after Vietnam's parliament recently passed a maritime law that claims sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Paracel and Spratly islands.
China on the same day announced the establishment of the Sansha City administration to strengthen its own claims over the Paracels, Spratlys and Macclesfield Bank, though the Taiwanese foreign ministry chose not to address this.
Taiwan does not recognize any claims to such territories made by any other country, the ministry said, adding that Taiwan advocates developing the resources of the area in conjunction with other countries based on the principles of shelving disputes and promoting peace and reciprocity, it added.
The Spratlys are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets and atolls, while the Paracels consist of over 30 islets, sandbanks and reefs in the South China Sea.
Reportedly rich in oil and other natural resources, the islands and their surrounding waters are claimed either entirely or in part by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
Source :http://www.wantchinatimes.com
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