Taiwanese Minister Visits Island in South China Sea
Introduction
On Tuesday, a minister from Taiwan visited Taiping Island. The island is in the South China Sea. No minister went there for seven years.
Main Body
The minister watched coast guard drills. The drills were like stopping a ship, helping people, and cleaning pollution. A C-130 plane from Taiwan's army helped. Taiping Island is the biggest natural island in the Spratly group. Many countries say the island is theirs. China, Vietnam, and the Philippines say this. Taiwan runs the island. The island has a runway, a new wharf, a lighthouse, and about 200 people. Most of them are coast guard. In 2016, a court said Taiping Island is a rock, not an island. So Taiwan can only claim 12 nautical miles of sea. Taiwan and China said no to this. Taiwan said the island has fresh water and can support life. The court did not ask Taiwan to come. The visit was at the same time as big US-Philippines army drills. China sent a warship to the South China Sea and moved an aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait. China says Taiwan is part of China. China says the whole South China Sea is its history. Taiwan and other countries disagree.
Conclusion
The visit shows Taiwan still says it controls Taiping Island. Many countries are competing in the South China Sea.