June 11, 2023
Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng claimed on June 8 that a recent live-fire drill held by the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the waters surrounding Taiping Island was a serious violation of Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty over the Nansha (Spratly) Islands. She also stated that the drill posed a threat to maritime peace and stability and navigation security and that it complicated the situation in the South China Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) finds these statements totally unacceptable.
The R.O.C. (Taiwan) government reiterates that, in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, it retains all rights over South China Sea islands and their relevant waters. Taiping Island is indisputably R.O.C. (Taiwan) territory, and the R.O.C. (Taiwan) government has the authority to exercise all the rights of a sovereign state over Taiping Island and its relevant waters.
In 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen put forward “four principles” and “five actions,” seeking to properly address South China Sea issues in conjunction with the international community. She also expressed that, in the spirit of upholding equality and shared prosperity, Taiwan is willing to participate in related consultation mechanisms and work with relevant countries to jointly advance peace and stability in the region.