• Created：2010-12-08
• Data Source：Bureau Of Consular Affairs
• Counter：2268

Regarding the South China Sea, which has received much attention in the international community lately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates its position as follows:
1. No matter from what perspective one uses—history, geography or international law—one can see that the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), Shisha Islands (Paracel Islands), Chungsha Islands (Macclesfield Islands), Tungsha Islands (Pratas Islands), as well as their surrounding waters, and respective seabed and subsoil, all consist of the inherent territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan). These archipelagoes without a doubt fall under the sovereignty of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Therefore, the government reasserts that it enjoys all rights over the islands and their surrounding waters. Furthermore, it cannot accept any claim to sovereignty over, or occupation of, these areas by other countries or territories.
2. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) calls on countries bordering the islands to respect the principles and spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to refrain from adopting unilateral measures that might upset the peace and stability of the region and the South China Sea.
3. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates that it upholds the basic principles of “safeguarding sovereignty, shelving disputes, peace and reciprocity, and joint exploration” and remains willing to work with other countries in exploring the resources of the South China Sea.
4. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) also urges the neighboring countries bordering the South China Sea to exercise self-constraint so that peaceful resolutions to South China Sea disputes can be reached through consultation and dialogue. Taiwan remains willing to participate in dialogue aiming to form resolutions to disputes and promote regional peace, stability and development.（E）