Taiwan illegally sent international reporters to Itu Aba Island

Taiwan illegally organized an international media delegation to visit Ba Binh Island, part of Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago.

A group of reporters boarded a Taiwanese C-130 military transport plane to go to Itu Aba Island. Photo: Reuters

Two dozen international reporters, including journalists from CNN, Reuters and AP, were flown to Itu Aba Island today on a Taiwanese C-130 military transport plane. They were shown the post office, fresh water well, boat dock and the Taiwanese temple illegally built on the island.

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bruce Linghu led the trip. According to AP, Bruce said he wanted to show that Itu Aba is an island that can sustain human life, not a rock as the Philippines argued in its case against Taiwan in the Permanent Court of Arbitration over the “nine-dash line.” The island enjoys territorial waters, an exclusive economic zone and other rights that rocks do not enjoy.

Taiwan has a 10-bed hospital, a lighthouse and an illegal fishing support station on Itu Aba. Taiwan has also spent more than $100 million upgrading the island’s runway and building a wharf capable of docking 3,000-ton coast guard vessels.

Itu Aba is the largest island in the Spratly Islands under Vietnam’s sovereignty. Taiwan illegally occupies the island and regularly sends coast guard forces there.Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou visited Itu Aba Island in late January. The United States, Taiwan's ally,criticized that Mr. Ma's visit was completely useless, and did not contribute to the peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Vietnam has undeniable sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands. Vietnam has repeatedly protested Taiwan’s violations of its sovereignty and requested that illegal construction activities be stopped and that they not further complicate the situation in the East Sea.

Taiwanese lighthouse illegally built on Itu Aba Island. Photo: Reuters

According to VNE