December 2, 2022
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam claimed on December 2 that a live-fire drill held by Taiwan in the waters surrounding Taiping Island on November 29 was a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands. It also stated that the drill caused tensions and complicated the situation in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) can not accept these statements.
The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) 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 the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) 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 outlined four principles and five actions that serve as the basis for properly handling South China Sea issues in conjunction with the international community. She also stated that, in the spirit of upholding equality and shared prosperity, Taiwan is willing to participate in related negotiation mechanisms and work with the relevant countries to jointly advance peace and stability in the South China Sea.