Taiwan reaffirms sovereignty amid PRC plans for South China Sea nature reserve

Taipei, Sept. 11 (CNA) The Taiwan government on Thursday reiterated its sovereignty claim over the South China Sea, after China on Tuesday approved a proposal to create a national nature reserve on a shoal in the disputed area.

The proposal, approved by the People's Republic of China (PRC) State Council, seeks to establish a national nature reserve on the Scarborough Shoal -- known in China as Huangyan Island (黃岩島), the Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, and Democracy Reef (民主礁) in Taiwan -- which is claimed by all three countries.

The proposal has drawn a strong protest from the Philippines, with its foreign ministry saying that it "clearly infringes" on Manila's rights and interests.

In Taipei, the foreign ministry said Thursday that the South China Sea Islands are part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The ROC is entitled to all rights over the South China Sea Islands and their waters, in accordance with international law, and the law of the sea, which "is beyond dispute," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement.

The PRC has no right to "illegally and unilaterally" appropriate the so-called reserve area, MOFA said.

"The Chinese government's unilateral move highlights its hegemonic mentality," MOFA said. This could lead to regional disputes and prove "detrimental to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," it added.

Taiwan's sovereignty claim in the South China Sea will not be affected by the PRC's unilateral decision, MOFA said.

Taiwan is willing to work with regional countries, including the Philippines, to "peacefully resolve disputes through dialogue and in accordance with international law and the law of the sea," the foreign ministry said.

According to China's State Council, the designation of the nature reserve is "an important guarantee for maintaining the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the atoll's natural ecosystem."