The foreign ministry Spokesman of Vietnam, the recent trip of Former Taiwanese Officials to Itu Aba Island seriously violated Vietnam sovereignty making the situation in the South China Sea more complicated.
Taiwan’s actions could not change the truth, Vietnam holds sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Troung Sa Archipelagos.
Last week, Taiwan organized a trip for its former senior officials to Ba Binh, also known as Itu Aba in the Philippines. The Island is part of the disputed Spratly Islands (Truong Sa) archipelago.
Vietnam also opposed Taiwan’s release of stamps featuring the Island and archipelagos in the South China Sea.
Taiwan’s Previous Visit to Spratlys
This is not the first time Taiwan’s action was criticized. Last January 2016, Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou visited the disputed island in the South China Sea making the US criticize the plan and even marked it as “extremely unhelpful”. The US is Taiwan’s main ally and supplier of defense ordnance.
“The Philippines also showed extreme protest against Taiwan”
As a part of the case, the Philippines argues that Itu Aba (Taiping) and other islands are part of Philippine territory. The country submit an arbitration case against China at The Hague over the disputed Islands.
The trip during the Lunar New Year Holiday and bringing journalists during a three-hour visit violated Vietnam’s sovereignty and is not conducive to maintaining peace and stability in the Region.
Vietnams wants Taiwan to practically contribute by having joint efforts with parties concerning in maintaining peace and stability in the disputed seas.
Itu Aba (Taiping) is the largest island in the Spratlys, which it controls and views as part of Taiwan territory. Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. These group of Island has been the center of escalating tension for a decade.
