Taiwan's president visits disputed island in South China Sea; Philippines voices concern

Taiwan's president inaugurated a runway on a disputed island in the South China Sea, sparking a protest from the Philippines which also claims sovereignty over the isle, officials said.

Chen Shui-bian, the first Taiwanese president to ever visit Taiping island in the Spratlys chain, also met with troops there during his brief visit Saturday, said Lee Nan-yang, the president's spokesman.

"There's no question about Taiwan's sovereignty on Taiping island, and we will continue to build structures there to help beef up patrols and sea security," Chen said in a statement after returning from the island 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) south of Taiwan.

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