This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35426175
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou visits disputed South China Sea island | Taiwan's Ma Ying-jeou visits disputed South China Sea island |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has visited a disputed island in the South China Sea, in a show of sovereignty over the territory. | |
| The US and Vietnam have both criticised the trip, which Washington said could exacerbate tensions. | The US and Vietnam have both criticised the trip, which Washington said could exacerbate tensions. |
| Taiwan administers the island, which it calls Taiping but which is also known as Itu Aba. It is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. | Taiwan administers the island, which it calls Taiping but which is also known as Itu Aba. It is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. |
| Mr Ma, who has cultivated better ties with China, ends his term in May. | Mr Ma, who has cultivated better ties with China, ends his term in May. |
| The incoming party leans towards independence for Taiwan. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province which will eventually be reunited with the mainland. | The incoming party leans towards independence for Taiwan. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province which will eventually be reunited with the mainland. |
| What is the South China Sea dispute? | What is the South China Sea dispute? |
| It is Mr Ma's first visit to Tiaping/Itu Aba in his eight years as president. | It is Mr Ma's first visit to Tiaping/Itu Aba in his eight years as president. |
| Speaking on the island, he reiterated a call for peaceful coexistence with other countries who claim it. | |
| "All this evidence fully demonstrates that Taiping Island is able to sustain human habitation and an economic life of its own. Taiping Island is categorically not a rock, but an island," he said. | |
| It is the largest natural island in the Spratly chain, although now thought to be only the fourth biggest overall, after China's large-scale land reclamation work on Mischief Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef. | It is the largest natural island in the Spratly chain, although now thought to be only the fourth biggest overall, after China's large-scale land reclamation work on Mischief Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef. |
| Taiwan has been upgrading facilities on the island, where about 180 people live, most of them coastguard personnel. | Taiwan has been upgrading facilities on the island, where about 180 people live, most of them coastguard personnel. |
| As well as the US and Vietnam, which said it "resolutely opposes" the visit, China too is unhappy about the trip. It said it had "undisputable authority" over islands in the South China Sea. | As well as the US and Vietnam, which said it "resolutely opposes" the visit, China too is unhappy about the trip. It said it had "undisputable authority" over islands in the South China Sea. |
| The Spratly archipelago has many overlapping territorial claims by nations bordering the South China Sea, which is claimed almost in entirety by China. | The Spratly archipelago has many overlapping territorial claims by nations bordering the South China Sea, which is claimed almost in entirety by China. |
| Malaysia and Brunei also have claims involving the Spratly islands, though not involving this particular island. | Malaysia and Brunei also have claims involving the Spratly islands, though not involving this particular island. |