A contingent of former officials has spent Thursday visiting Taiping Island. The officials include two former premiers and a former foreign minister.
Taiping Island is under Taiwanese administration, but it is also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, and China. The visit is meant to assert Taiwan's sovereignty over the island. It also aims to counter the Philippines' assertion that Taiping Island is actually a rock.
The island's status is one subject of controversy in a case brought by the Philippines against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Though Taiwan is not a party to the case, the outcome will still have an impact.
Under international law, only islands come with a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone and control over resources in nearby waters.
Thursday's visit is the latest in a series of high profile bids to show that the island meets two criteria for island status- the ability to support human life and economic activity. During their visit, the officials toured the island's facilities including its wharf, hospital, solar plant, post office, and farm.
