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Updated Thursday, July 21, 2011 11:57 pm TWN, CNA

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Taiwan reiterates sovereignty over Spratlys

TAIPEI -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, shortly after Philippine lawmakers made a trip there to declare their country's ownership.

“The Spratlys and the surrounding waters are the undisputable territory of the Republic of China,” said MOFA spokesman James Chang.

“The government advocates shelving the disputes and jointly developing the area's resources with neighboring countries, on the principles of peace and reciprocity,” he said.

Asked whether the MOFA would lodge a protest with Manila over the Philippine lawmakers' claim, Chang said that possibility was being contemplated.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila expressed “deep concern” over the actions by the Philippine lawmakers, according to news reports.

Five Philippine congressmen landed on one of the Spratly islands yesterday morning at 10 a.m. and ceremoniously raised their country's flag there, according to news reports.

The Spratlys consist of a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, and atolls in the South China Sea. Reportedly rich in crude oil and other natural resources, the islands are claimed either entirely or in part by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

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Comments

July 21, 2011 bulokpinas98@

WHAT THE ....??? The Philippines can't even control Mindanao and now want to claim Spratly.

July 21, 2011 Aoeworth@

This is so stupid. Those islands belong to me. Pfft.

July 22, 2011 Raymond.willekes@

History proves that they belong to Taiwan/China. These islands were claimed back in the 1200's during the Yuan Dynasty.
Its proximity to other countries doesn’t matter. It’s The ROC government’s. Taiwan’s offer to jointly develop these islands is a great gesture.

July 22, 2011 labpinas@

@bulokpinas98 That's how it is. And they expect the US to back them up. The same people whom they booted out of their country. And it's the same Americans who are helping them in Mindanao to rid them of the insurgency there. What a farce !!! Filipinos are not a patriotic race. And they like to kiss American Ass. How many Filipinos are there that stay in the US; not including those that play hide & seek with US Immigration authorities? A lot !!! If Filipinos love their country, they should stay there rather than immigrating to other parts of the world and make the most of their country's resources which are bountiful.

July 22, 2011 johnny.brian@

Or claim Borneo, Sabah. Maybe these Congressmen thought they are in Hundreds Islands to raise flag.