Taiwan has sovereignty over the Spratly Islands (
"Whether based on history, geography, international law or fact, the Republic of China has sovereignty over the islands," Yeh said when asked to comment on President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) plan to visit Taiping Island (太平島), the biggest atoll of the Spratly Islands.
Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei also claim sovereignty over the islands.
The dispute has been fueled lately with the completion of Taiwan's airstrip on Taiping Island.
The Philippines' representative to Taiwan has repeatedly asked for news on the airstrip, Yeh said, adding that Vietnam had also expressed "deep concern."
"Taiwan expects to resolve the dispute through negotiations and dialogue and is opposed to any form of provocation," Yeh said. "We regret that Taiwan has consistently been excluded from any dialogue."
At a separate news conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (
"Many people, as well as local governments in other parts of the country, have shown their interest in diplomacy," Huang said. "Many local governments have also voiced to the ministry their need for a channel to communicate with other countries."
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
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