Taiwan Government rejects South China Sea ruling

[yuiyoshida]

Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang responds to the rulings of the South China Sea arbitration case at a news conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times

Taiwan yesterday refused to accept a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands,which included a statement that Taiwan-controlled Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island) in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands) is a “rock,” saying the verdict has severely infringed on Taiwan’s rights over the South China Sea island and its surrounding waters.

In the case brought by the Philippines against China over their disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippines argued that land formations claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea are not islands and therefore not entitled to 200 nautical mile (370.4km) exclusive economic zones.

While Taiwan was not party to the case, its claims in the South China Sea are similar to those of China and Itu Aba Island was brought up in testimony during the court hearings.

The international tribunal yesterday concluded that all of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands, including Itu Aba, are legally “rocks” that do not generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.

“We hereby stress that the Republic of China [ROC] enjoys rights as afforded by international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea over South China Sea islands and their relevant waters,” Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang told a news conference following the issuance of the verdict yesterday afternoon.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/07/13/2003650919