Regarding Administrative Order No. 29 promulgated by President Aquino III of the Philippines to rename the South China Sea to the West Philippine Sea, thereby unilaterally provoking disputes, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) rejects such moves and hereby solemnly reiterates its position as follows:
1.Whether looked at from the perspective of history, geography or international law, Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), Shisha Islands (Paracel Islands), Chungsha Islands (Macclesfield Bank) and Tungsha Islands (Pratas Islands), as well as their surrounding waters, sea beds and subsoil, are an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan). These archipelagoes therefore fall under the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The government reasserts that it enjoys all rights over the islands and their surrounding waters, and that it denies all claims to sovereignty over, or occupation of, these areas by other countries.
2.The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stresses that it upholds the basic principles of “safeguarding sovereignty, shelving disputes, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and promoting joint exploration” when striving to resolve South China Sea disputes. It also calls upon all neighboring countries to include the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea so as to jointly promote regional peace and development.
3.The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) also reminds other countries bordering the South China Sea to respect the principles and spirit of international law and to refrain from adopting unilateral measures that threaten the peace and stability of the region. Furthermore, Taiwan urges these countries to exercise self-restraint and foster dialogue rather than confrontation, so that peaceful resolutions can be reached. (E)
No. 005
