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Taiwan president visits disputed Taiping island in South China Sea Taiwan president visits disputed Taiping island in South China Sea
(about 2 hours later)
The president of Taiwan ignored US criticism and flew to a disputed island in the South China Sea to reaffirm his country’s sovereignty, saying the trip was aimed at promoting peace. Taiwan’s president has flown to a disputed island in the South China Sea to reaffirm his country’s sovereignty, saying the trip was aimed at promoting peace.
Ma Ying-jeou’s one-day visit to Itu Aba on Thursday came amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the South China Sea, especially in the wake of Beijing’s rapid creation of seven man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago. Ma Ying-jeou’s one-day visit to Itu Aba on Thursday came amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the South China Sea, especially in the wake of Beijing’s rapid creation of seven manmade islands in the Spratly archipelago.
Washington, Taiwan’s biggest ally, called Ma’s trip “extremely unhelpful”, adding it would not do anything to resolve territorial disputes. Washington, Taiwan’s biggest ally, called Ma’s trip “extremely unhelpful” and said it would not do anything to resolve territorial disputes.
Related: How China's artificial islands led to tension in the South China SeaRelated: How China's artificial islands led to tension in the South China Sea
But Ma, who steps down in May, said he had told the United States about his trip a few days beforehand. Ma, who steps down in May, said he had told the US about his trip a few days beforehand.
“The US and we (Taiwan), when it comes to the big direction for the South China Sea, are the same,” Ma told reporters. “We all hope for peace, hope there is no conflict or war.” “The US and we [Taiwan], when it comes to the big direction for the South China Sea, are the same,” Ma said. “We all hope for peace, hope there is no conflict or war.”
Beijing on Wednesday reiterated that China and Taiwan had a common duty to protect Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea. Beijing deems Taiwan a wayward province to be taken by force if necessary. On Wednesday Beijing reiterated that China and Taiwan had a common duty to protect Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea. Beijing deems Taiwan a wayward province to be taken by force if necessary.
Taiwan has just finished a $100m (£70m) port upgrade and built a new lighthouse on Itu Aba, known as Taiping in Taiwan. The island, which lies in the Spratlys, also has an airstrip, a hospital and fresh water. Taiwan has just finished a $100m (£70m) port upgrade and built a new lighthouse on Itu Aba, known in Taiwan as Taiping. The island, which lies in the Spratlys, also has an airstrip, a hospital and fresh water.
Related: China will take ‘all necessary’ measures in future US sail-bys in South China SeaRelated: China will take ‘all necessary’ measures in future US sail-bys in South China Sea
Both China and Taiwan claim most of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei also have competing claims.Both China and Taiwan claim most of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei also have competing claims.
Vietnam’s top official in Taiwan said Hanoi “resolutely opposed” Ma’s visit. The Philippine foreign ministry said all parties had a shared responsibility to refrain from actions that could increase tensions.Vietnam’s top official in Taiwan said Hanoi “resolutely opposed” Ma’s visit. The Philippine foreign ministry said all parties had a shared responsibility to refrain from actions that could increase tensions.
Ma said the visit was now or never. “This was the time to go,” he said. “If I didn’t go now, it would have been too late.”Ma said the visit was now or never. “This was the time to go,” he said. “If I didn’t go now, it would have been too late.”
Given the tensions over the South China Sea, few senior political officials from any of the claimants have visited the contested region in recent years.Given the tensions over the South China Sea, few senior political officials from any of the claimants have visited the contested region in recent years.
Ma’s visit follows elections won by the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive party (DPP), which declined a request by Ma to send a representative along. The DPP said Taiwan had a responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the area. Ma’s visit follows elections won by the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive party (DPP), which declined a request by Ma to send a representative. The DPP said Taiwan had a responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the area.
The claims of both China and Taiwan are based on maps from the late 1940s belonging to the Nationalists, when they ruled all of China. The party fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong’s Communists. The claims of both China and Taiwan are based on maps from the late 1940s belonging to the Nationalists when they ruled all of China. The party fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong’s Communists.
China has appeared unfazed by Taiwan’s upgrading work on Itu Aba. Military strategists say that is because Itu Aba could fall into Chinese hands should it ever take over Taiwan.China has appeared unfazed by Taiwan’s upgrading work on Itu Aba. Military strategists say that is because Itu Aba could fall into Chinese hands should it ever take over Taiwan.
The 46-hectare (114-acre) island supports around 180 people, about 150 of them coastguard personnel.The 46-hectare (114-acre) island supports around 180 people, about 150 of them coastguard personnel.