February 20, 2025
No. 044
On February 18, a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy helicopter conducted dangerous maneuvers in airspace above Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) in the South China Sea, converging on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft on routine patrol. At one point, the two planes were only three meters apart, causing a hazardous situation for the Philippine aircraft. This follows another recent incident in which a Chinese PLA aircraft in the South China Sea dropped flares at close range, endangering an Australian Defence Force reconnaissance aircraft. China has once again interfered with and put at risk the aircraft of other countries in the South China Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemns China’s unsafe, irresponsible, reckless, and provocative behavior, which threatens navigation and overflight safety.
MOFA expresses serious concern regarding disputes in the South China Sea and calls on all parties to exercise restraint; abide by international law and relevant international norms; avoid taking any actions that could impact regional peace and stability; and continue working to resolve South China Sea issues in a peaceful and noncoercive manner through multilateral dialogues and dispute settlement mechanisms.
MOFA reiterates the position of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on South China Sea issues below.
(1) The South China Sea Islands are part of the territory of the ROC (Taiwan). That the ROC enjoys all rights over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea is beyond dispute.
(2) The ROC (Taiwan) supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and insists on the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Relevant multilateral dialogues and dispute settlement mechanisms should not exclude the participation of the ROC (Taiwan).
(3) In line with the government’s four principles and five actions, the ROC (Taiwan) is willing to work with relevant countries to set aside differences and promote joint development to maintain and advance peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as to protect and develop resources in the region. (E)