Taiping humanitarian drills draw to a closeTAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Cabinet Wednesday hailed humanitarian rescue drills on Taiping Island and waters off the Spratly Islands as a "success," while quashing speculation on cooperation in the region with mainland China. The Nov. 29 drills were the first since Taiwan's claims to an exclusive economic zone around the South China Sea's Taiping Island were rejected by an international tribunal. At a post-drill press conference Wednesday, Cabinet spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung dismissed rumors that Taiwan could collaborate with mainland China in the South China Sea, saying "we conduct our own drills." Lee said Taiwan's South China Sea claims were an "unquestionable truth." The exercise was conducted as part of Tsai's policy of transforming Taiping Island into a base for the provision of humanitarian aid and logistical support.

Source: The China Post November 30, 2016 16:04 UTC