PH slams Chinese academics’ claim that Batanes is Taiwanese territory

The Philippines dismissed claims by Chinese academics that Batanes is part of Taiwan, asserting that the country’s sovereignty over the province is “not up for debate.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the statement on Thursday, July 10, after Chinese scholars made the claim during a symposium held last month.

The department said the academics should instead focus on conducting good-faith studies of the region, emphasizing that Philippine sovereignty over Batanes has long been settled.

The DFA also pointed out that China acknowledged Batanes as Philippine territory when it signed the agreement establishing its Consulate General in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, on June 9, 1975.

During the June 30 symposium at Jinan University, Chinese scholars claimed that Batanes is a natural geographical extension of Taiwan.

Batanes, which consists of 10 islands, lies about 190 kilometers south of Taiwan.

The scholars also argued that the “so-called Japan-Philippine maritime delimitation negotiations” have no legal validity.

Chinese authorities have not publicly endorsed the scholars’ claim.