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List of islands of Taiwan#Archipelagos of Taiwan

{{Short description|Overview of Taiwanese islands}}

{{About|the islands under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan|the islands controlled by the People's Republic of China|List of islands of China}}

File:Taiwan relief location map.png

The islands comprising the Taiwan Area under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC) are classified into various island groups. The island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa, is the largest island and the main component of the ROC-controlled territories. Islands that are claimed by the ROC but not administered, including those administered by the People's Republic of China (PRC), and those disputed with other countries such as the Tiaoyutai Islands (Senkaku Islands) and most of the South China Sea Islands, are excluded from this list.

At the adoption of Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China in the 1990s, these islands collectively form the "Free area of the Republic of China" or known alternatively as "Taiwan Area", which legally defines the territorial extent under the actual control of the ROC government.

Some Taiwanese islands have various translations in English due to different systems of romanization in Chinese language in use, or derivation of differing linguistic origins from Mandarin, Hokkien, indigenous languages or other foreign languages. Some islands also have different names derived from particular historical periods which remain in use to this day.{{cite book|script-title=zh:臺灣歷史地圖 增訂版 |trans-title=Taiwan Historical Maps, Expanded and Revised Edition|date=February 2018|language=zh-tw|publisher=National Museum of Taiwan History|isbn=978-986-05-5274-4|pages=14,154,158|location=Taipei|quote={{lang|zh-hant|一地數名，反映了16-17世紀外界對臺灣的認知。}}}} (Note: On pages 154 and 158, Baiyan is colored light green as is the rest of Kinmen County, excluding the Dadeng (Tateng) Islands. The islet is found in several other maps of Kinmen County (excluding the Dadeng Islands) included in the book.)

Archipelagos of Taiwan

There are in total of 168 islands which can be classified into the following geographical units:

class=wikitable

!Name!!Chinese!!Mandarin
(Pinyin)!!Taiwanese
(Pe̍h-ōe-jī)!!Hakka
(Pha̍k-fa-sṳ)!!Other name!!No. islands!!Major islands!!Division

Taiwanalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|臺灣}}}}TáiwānTâi-oânThòi-vànFormosa22

|Taiwan, Orchid, Green, Lamay, Guishan

|Multiple

Penghualign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|澎湖}}}}PénghúPhêⁿ-ôPhàng-fùPescadores90

|Penghu, Xiyu, Baisha, Cimei, Wang'an

|Penghu County

Kinmenalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|金門}}}}JīnménKim-mn̂gKîm-mùnQuemoynumerous

|Kinmen, Lieyu, Dadan, Erdan

|Kinmen County

Matsualign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|馬祖}}}}MǎzǔMá-chó͘Mâ-chú36

|Nangan, Beigan, Dongyin, Xiyin, Dongju, Xiju

|Lienchiang County

Wuqiualign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|烏坵}}}}WūqiūO͘-khiuVû-hiuOckseu2Daqiu, Xiaoqiu

|Kinmen County

Tungsha/Dongshaalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|東沙}}}}DōngshāTang-soaTûng-sâPratas1Pratas Island

|Kaohsiung Municipality

Nanshaalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|南沙}}}}NánshāLâm-soaNàm-sâSpratly2Taiping Island, Zhongzhou Reef

|Kaohsiung Municipality

{{small|There are four contemporary geopolitical definitions of the extent of "Taiwan": {{ordered list

|1= The state, a.k.a. the "Republic of China" (ROC), including all 168 islands administered by the ROC; |2= The traditional Taiwan region ({{lang|zh-tw|本島地區}}), excluding Kinmen, Matsu, and Wuqiu, which are traditionally parts of Fujian Province, and also excluding the ROC-controlled South China Sea Islands; |3= The traditional region without Penghu, which is sometimes regarded as a separate region; | 4= The main island of Taiwan alone, excluding all of the nearby small islands.}}}}

{{small|Note: The Senkaku Islands, which are controlled by Japan, are disputed by the PRC (People's Republic of China) and the ROC as being a part of Taiwan (known as "Tiaoyutai" in Taiwanese Mandarin). Japan administers the Senkaku Islands as a part of the Ryukyu Islands.}}

List of major islands by area

List of Taiwanese islands with over 5 km2 of area.{{cite web|url=https://www.moi.gov.tw/files/site_stuff/321/2/year/y05-19.ods|script-title=zh:05-19 臺灣島嶼面積|trans-title=Location and Area of Islands in Taiwan|language=zh-tw,en|access-date=20 October 2019|website=Ministry of the Interior}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Order!!Name!!Chinese!!Taiwanese!!Hakka!!Geographical unit!!colspan=2|Administrative Division!!Area (km²)

1Taiwan Main Island/ Formosaalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|臺灣本島}}}}Tâi-oân pún-tóThòi-vàn pún-tó

|Taiwan

colspan=2|multiplealign=right|35,807.82
2Kinmen Main Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|金門本島}}}}Kim-mn̂g pún-tóKîm-mùn pún-tó

|Kinmen

4 townshipsKinmenalign=right|134.25
3Penghu Main Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|澎湖本島}}}}Phêⁿ-ô pún-tóPhàng-fù pún-tó

|Penghu

Magong, HuxiPenghualign=right|65.41
4Orchid Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|蘭嶼}}}}Lân-sūLàn-yí

|Taiwan

LanyuTaitungalign=right|46.82
5Xiyu Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|西嶼}}}}Sai-sūSî-yí

|Penghu

XiyuPenghualign=right|17.84
–Waisanding Shoalalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|外傘頂洲}}}}Gōa-sòaⁿ-téng-chiuNgoi-san táng-chû

|Taiwan

KouhuYunlinalign=right|17.22
6Green Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|綠島}}}}Le̍k-tóLiu̍k-tó

|Taiwan

LüdaoTaitungalign=right|15.09
7Lesser Kinmen Island (Lieyu)align=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|小金門島}}}}Sió-kim-mn̂g-tóSéu-kîm-mùn-tó

|Kinmen

LieyuKinmenalign=right|14.85
8Baisha Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|白沙島}}}}Pe̍h-soa-tóPha̍k-sâ-tó

|Penghu

BaishaPenghualign=right|13.88
9Nangan Island (Matsu)align=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|南竿島}}}}Lâm-kan-tóNàm-kôn-tó

|Matsu

NanganLienchiangalign=right|10.43
10Cimei/Qimei Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|七美嶼}}}}Chhit-bí-tóChhit-mî-yí

|Penghu

CimeiPenghualign=right|7.59
11Lamay Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|琉球嶼}}}}Liû-khiû-sūLiù-khiù-yí

|Taiwan

LiuqiuPingtungalign=right|6.80
12Wang'an Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|望安島}}}}Bāng-oaⁿ-tóMong-ôn-tó

|Penghu

Wang'anPenghualign=right|6.74
13Beigan Islandalign=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|北竿島}}}}Pak-kan-tóPet-kôn-tó

|Matsu

BeiganLienchiangalign=right|6.44

List of islands by geographical unit

= Taiwan proper =

{{anchor|Taiwan|Taiwan Island|Island of Taiwan}}

File:Kinmen,Matsu,Wuciou.png

File:Penghu administration.svg]]

=Penghu/Pescadores=

  • Penghu Islands (Pescadores Islands; {{lang|zh-Hant|澎湖群島}}) (Penghu County){{cite web|url=https://www.penghu.gov.tw/userfiles/penghu/files/EGLISH.pdf|title=PENGHU From island to island|website=Penghu County Government|date=2010s|access-date=31 October 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.penghu-nsa.gov.tw/Child/KnowPenghu/AboutPenghu02.htm|script-title=zh:澎湖的島嶼|language=zh-tw|access-date=2 November 2019|website={{lang|zh-tw|澎湖國家風景區管理處}}}}
  • Penghu ({{lang|zh-Hant|澎湖島}})
  • Hujing Island (Hujing Islet, Huching Island; {{lang|zh-tw|{{linktext|虎井|嶼}}}})
  • Tongpan Island ({{lang|zh-Hant|桶盤嶼}})
  • Baisha ({{lang|zh-Hant|白沙島}})
  • Baisha Main Island (白沙島)
  • Jibei Island ({{lang|zh-Hant|吉貝嶼}})
  • Chungtun (Zhongtun) Island (中屯嶼)
  • Yuanbei Island ({{lang|zh-Hant|員貝嶼}})
  • Tiejhen (Tiezhen) Island (鐵砧嶼)
  • Gupo Island ({{lang|zh-Hant|姑婆嶼}})
  • Xianjiao Island ({{lang|zh-Hant|險礁嶼}})
  • Bird Island (鳥嶼)
  • Mudou Island ({{lang|zh-Hant|目斗嶼}})
  • Siyu (Yuwong, Yü-weng Tao, Gyoō-tō; {{lang|zh-Hant|西嶼, 漁翁島}})
  • Xiaomen Yu (Siaomen Islet, Hsiao-men hsü, Shō-mon-sho; 小門嶼)
  • Haiqian Reef (海墘礁)
  • Cimei (Qimei;{{lang|zh-Hant|七美嶼}})
  • Wang-an ({{lang|zh-Hant|望安島}})
  • Hua Islet ({{lang|zh-tw|{{linktext|花嶼}}}})
  • Mau Islets (貓嶼)
  • Cau Islet (草嶼)
  • Nan Yun (南塭/南𥔋)
  • Maanshan Islet ({{lang|zh-tw|馬鞍山嶼}})
  • Jiangjyunao Islet (Chiang-chün-ao hsü, Shōgunō-sho; {{lang|zh-tw|將軍澳嶼}})
  • Chuanfanyu Reef ({{lang|zh-tw|船帆嶼礁}})
  • Toujin ({{lang|zh-tw|頭巾}})
  • Tiejhen ({{lang|zh-tw|鐵砧}})
  • West Islet (Hsi-hsü-p'ing, Sei-sūpin; {{lang|zh-tw|西嶼平}})
  • East Islet (Tung-hsü-p'ing, Tō-sūpin; {{lang|zh-tw|東嶼平}})
  • Siji Islet (Hsi-chi hsü, Saikichi-sho; {{lang|zh-tw|西吉嶼}})
  • Chutou Islet ({{lang|zh-tw|鋤頭嶼}})
  • Dongji Island (Dongji Islet, Tung-chi hsü, Tō-kichi-sho; {{lang|zh-tw|東吉嶼}})

= Kinmen/Quemoy =

File:Kinmen.PNG]]

{{cite map|url=https://www.cga.gov.tw/GipOpen/wSite/public/Attachment/f1518579482629.pdf|title=金門地區離島通航航道公告圖|language=zh-tw|access-date=25 August 2019 |date=n.d.|website=Coast Guard Administration (Taiwan)|quote={{lang|zh-tw|目嶼 三擔島 二擔島 Erhtan Island 大膽島 Tatan Island 大南礁 兔嶼 猛虎嶼 Menghu Islet 復興嶼 Fuhsing Islet 煙嶼（三角礁） 檳榔嶼 三嶼（三擔） 牛心 黃嶼 門口礁 獅嶼 桂子礁 烏礁 後頭嶼 小金門島 HSIAOKINMEN ISLAND （烈嶼）(Lienyü) 金門嶼 Kinmen Islet 大墘 建功嶼 大岩嶼 Dayan Islet 黑岩 洋山嶼 西園嶼 西山嶼（後嶼）東割 草嶼 北碇頭 母嶼 Muyü 北碇島 Peiting Island}}}}{{cite map|url=https://ws.kinmen.gov.tw/001/Upload/305/relpic/8015/6771/3b18e2cb-b0ed-4dac-8076-4afb8f62625d.jpg|script-title=zh:金門縣行政區域圖|date=November 2017|publisher=Ministry of the Interior|language=zh-tw|quote={{lang|zh-tw|北碇島 母嶼 白巖 草嶼 東割 烽遂角 后嶼 官澳礁 西園嶼 建功嶼 黑巖 大岩嶼 烏礁 桂子礁 獅嶼 牛心礁 小擔 檳榔嶼 烈嶼 復興嶼 猛虎嶼 兔嶼 石山 大膽島 二擔島 三擔島 四擔島 五擔 大坵島 小坵島}}|access-date=9 August 2019}}{{cite map|url=http://ws.mac.gov.tw/001/Upload/OldFile/public/Attachment/0411459536.pdf|language=zh-tw|title=金門地區限制（禁止）水域圖|access-date=9 August 2019 |date=n.d.|quote=二．限制水域範圍：大金門地區低潮線向外延伸東方海面四千至六千公尺，南方海面八千至一萬公尺，北碇以東海面四千公 尺，大、二膽南海面二千公尺一線以內海域 三、禁止水域範圍：大金門地區低潮線向外延伸東方海面四千公尺，南方海面八千公尺，馬山北方一千五百公尺，北碇以東 海面四千公尺，大、二膽北、西、南海面二千公尺，小金門西海面、檳榔嶼、三腳礁、牛心礁、赤角礁一線以內海域|publisher=Mainland Affairs Council}}{{cite book|title=辞海第六版. Cihai (Sixth Edition). |date=September 2009|language=zh|location=上海. Shanghai|publisher=上海辞书出版社. Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House.|isbn=9787532628599|page=1124|quote=金门 县名。在福建省东南海上、泉州市西南部。现由台湾省管辖。由以金门岛为主的大、小59个岛屿组成。面积149平方千米，人口约6.45万（2004年）。明置金门千户所，清设金门县丞，属同安县。1913年改隶思明县，1914年析置金门县。1928年直属福建省。农产有甘薯、花生等。矿产有玻璃砂、高岭土、铝土、煤。工业有机械、食品等。特产贡糖、高粱酒、金门马等。通公路。名胜古迹有成功洞、鲁王墓、水尾塔等。{...}金门岛 亦称“大金门岛”、“吾洲屿”。在福建省东南部、厦门港口外台湾海峡中。属金门县，现由台湾省管辖。岛形如哑铃，东西宽，南北狭，中多丘陵，沿海多港湾、口岸。东西长约20千米，面积131.7平方千米。其西有小金门岛。名胜古迹有牧马侯（陈渊）祠、鲁王墓、海印寺、古岗湖、中山纪念林等。}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kmnp.gov.tw/en/KinmenHistory.aspx?cid=2&chk=58a82533-1717-449f-8c94-683ae1b51138|title=Geographic environment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028081129/http://wwww.kmnp.gov.tw/en/KinmenHistory.aspx?cid=2&chk=58a82533-1717-449f-8c94-683ae1b51138|archive-date=28 October 2018|access-date=27 July 2019|website=Kinmen National Park|quote=The 12 islands and islets comprising Kinmen mainland, Lieyu (small Kinmen), Da Dan, Er Dan, Dong Ding, Beiding, Cao islet, Hou islet, Jiangong islet, Fuxing islet, Menghu islet, Shi islet occupy an area of 150 square meters in total.}}

= Matsu Islands =

{{cite book|url=http://web.matsu.gov.tw/Resource/pdf/92c882a0-f657-48a9-bd36-392e9663d914.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108035349/http://web.matsu.gov.tw/Resource/pdf/92c882a0-f657-48a9-bd36-392e9663d914.pdf|archivedate=8 January 2020|script-title=zh:擬定連江縣風景特定區計畫說明書|trans-title=Proposed Lienchiang County Designated Scenic Areas Plan Manual|date=June 2002|page=16|quote=南竿鄉 南竿島 黃官嶼 鞋礁 北泉礁 劉泉礁 北竿鄉 鵝石 進嶼 蚌山 螺山 北竿島 浪岩 三連嶼 無名島 峭頭 小坵 大坵 龜島 中島 高登島 鐵尖島 白廟 老鼠 亮島}}{{cite map|url=http://motclaw.motc.gov.tw/wfrmDownload.aspx?ID=3208&type=soid|script-title=zh:馬祖地區離島通航航道公告圖|language=zh-tw|date=14 April 2017|access-date=9 February 2020|quote={{lang|zh-tw|東引島 Dongyin Island{...}亮島 Liangdao{...}蚌礁島{...}高登島 Gaodeng Island{...}高登石{...}鐵尖島{...}北高礁{...}西引岩{...}小坵{...}大坵{...}峭頭{...}三連嶼 Sanlian Islet{...}長岐島 Zhangqi Island{...}蚌山{...}進嶼{...}蛤蜊島{...}鵲石{...}馬祖列島 Matzu Islands{...}西石{...}黃官嶼{...}南引{...}馬祖島 Matzu Island{...}鞋礁{...}雷石{...}北泉礁島{...}高間礁{...}劉泉礁{...}細皮石{...}大嶼{...}小嶼{...}永留嶼{...}西莒島 Xiju Island{...}東莒島 Dongju Island{...}莒光列島 Juguang Islands{...}林投嶼{...}}}}}{{cite map|script-title=zh:連江縣行政區域圖|trans-title=Lienchiang County|date=August 2007|language=zh-tw,en|publisher=Ministry of the Interior, Lienchiang County Government|ISBN=978-986010698-5|quote={{lang|zh-tw|亮島}} Liangdao Island}}

File:Lienchiang County Map (English).svg]]

  • Matsu Islands ({{lang|zh-Hant|馬祖列島}})
  • Beigan (Peikan; {{lang|zh-Hant|北竿}}){{cite web|url=https://www.land.moi.gov.tw/ngis/chhtml/main.asp?area=ZA02&type=byArea|script-title=zh:連江縣土地段名代碼表|publisher=Department of Land Administration|date=16 May 2012|access-date=27 August 2019|language=zh-tw|quote={{lang|zh-tw|地政事務所名稱(代碼) 連江(ZA) 鄉鎮市區名稱(代碼) 北竿鄉(02) 段 小段 代碼 備註{...}大坵 0020 無名島 0021 高登 0022 峭頭 0023 進嶼 0024 亮島 0035 調整 浪岩 0036 調整 三連嶼 0039 中島 0040 調整 白廟 0041 調整 老鼠 0042 調整}}}}
  • Gaodeng Island (Kaoteng; 高登島)
  • Daqiu Island ({{lang|zh-tw|大坵}})
  • Xiaoqiu (Kiao Tse {{lang|zh-tw|小坵}})
  • Wumingdao / Bluff Head (Wu-ming Tao; {{lang|zh-tw|無名島}}) {{coord|26.236295|N|120.011882|E}}
  • Qiaotou (Ch’iao-t’ou; {{lang|zh-tw|峭頭}}) {{coord|26.238689|N|120.015353|E}}
  • Jinyu ({{lang|zh-tw|進嶼}})
  • Liang Island (亮島)
  • Langyan ({{lang|zh-tw|浪岩}}) / Liang Reef (Liangjiao Reef; {{lang|zh-tw|亮礁}})
  • Sanlianyu / Trio Rocks ({{lang|zh-tw|三連嶼}})
  • Zhongdao ({{lang|zh-tw|中島}})
  • Baimiao ({{lang|zh-tw|白廟}})
  • Laoshu ({{lang|zh-tw|老鼠}})
  • Turtle Island (亀島)

  • Nankan (Nangan; {{lang|zh-Hant|南竿}}){{cite web|url=https://www.land.moi.gov.tw/ngis/chhtml/main.asp?area=WA01&type=byArea|script-title=zh:連江縣土地段名代碼表|publisher=Department of Land Administration|date=16 May 2012|access-date=27 August 2019|language=zh-tw|quote={{lang|zh-tw|地政事務所名稱(代碼) 連江(ZA) 鄉鎮市區名稱(代碼) 南竿鄉(01) 段 小段 代碼 備註{...}黃官嶼 0010 劉泉礁 0011 鞋礁 0012}}}}
  • Huangguanyu ({{lang|zh-tw|黃官嶼}})
  • Liuquanjiao ({{lang|zh-tw|劉泉礁}}) {{coord|26|05|07.9|N|119|57|43.4|E}}
  • Xiejiao ({{lang|zh-tw|鞋礁}})
  • Beiquanjiao ({{lang|zh-tw|北泉礁}})
  • Dongyin (Tungyin; {{lang|zh-tw|東引}})
  • Xiyin (Hsiyin; {{lang|zh-tw|西引}})
  • Beigu Reef ({{lang|zh-tw|北固礁}}) {{Coord|26.389633|N|120.482731|E}} *The northernmost island under the actual control of the Republic of China.
  • Zhongzhu Island (Chung-chu Tao; {{lang|zh-tw|中柱島}})
  • Furong Reef (Furong Jiao; {{lang|zh-tw|芙蓉礁}}) {{coord|26.378663|N|120.483884|E}}
  • Shuangzijiao ({{lang|zh-tw|雙子礁}})
  • Dongsha Dao{{GEOnet2|8F3274176498547DE040D6A415F73144|Dongsha Dao (Approved - N) }}, United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (Tung-sha Tao; {{lang|zh-tw|東沙島}})
  • Chukuang (Jyuguang; {{lang|zh-Hant|莒光}})
  • Tungchu (Dongjyu, Dongquan; 東莒, 東犬)
  • Hsichu (Xijyu, Xiquan; 西莒, 西犬)
  • Xiniuyu (犀牛嶼)
  • Sheshan (蛇山)
  • Lintou'ao (林頭坳)
  • Dayu (大嶼)
  • Yongliou (永留嶼)

= Wuqiu/Ockseu =

{{cite map|url=http://motclaw.motc.gov.tw/wfrmDownload.aspx?ID=3209&type=soid|script-title=zh:澎湖地區離島通航航道公告圖|language=zh-tw|date=14 April 2017|access-date=9 February 2020|quote={{lang|zh-tw|烏坵嶼 Wuqiu Islet{...}小坵嶼}}}}

  • Wuqiu (Ockseu, Wuchiu, Wuciou; {{lang|zh-tw|烏坵}})
  • Daqiu (Tachiu, Taciou; {{lang|zh-tw|大坵}})
  • Xiaoqiu (Hsiaochiu; {{lang|zh-tw|小坵}})

= South China Sea Islands =

File:Spratly with flags.jpg]]

  • South China Sea Islands ({{lang|zh-Hant|南海諸島}}) (Administration under Cijin District, Kaohsiung Municipality; only the following islands listed below are controlled by the ROC)
  • Pratas Island (Tungsha, Dong-sha; {{lang|zh-Hant|東沙群島}})
  • Spratly Islands (Nansha, Nan-sha; {{lang|zh-Hant|南沙群島}}; disputed with several Southeast Asian countries and China)
  • Taiping (Itu Aba; {{lang|zh-Hant|太平島}})
  • Zhongzhou Reef (Chung-Chou Reef; {{lang|zh-Hant|中洲礁}})

Disputed islands

The highly controversial sovereignty disputes over both the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands and the South China Sea Islands (which are disputed and controlled by several countries) are complex with the disputed status of both Taiwan (the territories outlined in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco) and the Republic of China (ROC) which controls Taiwan. As the ROC and the People's Republic of China (PRC) still compete their de jure claim as the sole legitimate government of the entire China, they effectively lay claim to the same extent of islands, including the South China Sea Islands and the Senkaku Islands, among others.{{cite book|last1=Hudson|first1=Christopher|title=The China Handbook|year=2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hm63AwAAQBAJ&q=prc+and+roc+legitimacy&pg=PA59|page=59|publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781134269662}} This makes these disputes multi-layered and therefore virtually impossible to solve by following the guidelines of international law.

The ROC maintains its historical claims to all of the South China Sea Islands.http://www.asianresearch.org/articles/3115.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514104457/http://www.asianresearch.org/articles/3115.html |date=2011-05-14 }} Taiwan's Spratly Initiative in the South China Sea{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.tw/en/News_Content.aspx?n=1EADDCFD4C6EC567&s=EDEBCA08C7F51C98 |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reiterates its position on the South China Sea |date=2015-07-07}} They are also claimed by five other claimants, namely the PRC, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. The islands within the Pratas and Spratly Islands which remain under the control of the ROC are assigned to Cijin District, Kaohsiung City, thus technically defining these islands to be part of the "Taiwan Area". The United Nations considers the South China Sea to be "international waters" and does not acknowledge any of the South China Sea Islands as "true islands". The acknowledgement of these islands as "true islands" is crucial because the definition of "islands" would justify the creation of an exclusive economic zone around them, which can be used to cut off international shipping lanes and to acquire natural resources such as oil which lie beneath the ocean.

Meanwhile, the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/c_m1/senkaku/page1we_000010.html|title=Situation of the Senkaku Islands|date=2014-04-04}} are claimed by the ROC as "Tiaoyutai Islands" within Toucheng Township, Yilan County{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.tw/en/News_Content.aspx?n=1EADDCFD4C6EC567&s=D3559EB4B5167E0E|title=ROC government reaffirms sovereignty over Diaoyutai Islands|date=2015-07-24}} and are considered to be part of geographic and provincial Taiwan by the ROC. The Senkaku Islands lie about 186 kilometres from the northeast of Taiwan Island, and situated roughly 330 kilometres from the east of mainland China. They form the westernmost extremity of the "Ryukyu Islands", which Japan administers as Okinawa Prefecture. The PRC also claims the Senkaku Islands as "Diaoyu Islands" as part of its claimed "Taiwan Province".

The PRC claims the islands of Taiwan and Penghu as part of its 23rd Taiwan Province, together with the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands (claimed as "Tiaoyutai Islands"), which are also claimed by the ROC as part of its own Taiwan Province. The PRC claims Kinmen as a county of the prefecture-level city Quanzhou, in Fujian Province. Matsu is claimed as part of Lianjiang County, part of Fuzhou, in Fujian Province. The Wuqiu islands are claimed as part of Xiuyu District, a district of the prefecture-level city Putian, in Fujian Province. Pratas Island is claimed as part of Chengqu in Shanwei (Swabue) Guangdong Province. The Nansha Islands controlled by the ROC, i.e. Taiping Island and Zhongzhou Reef, are claimed as part of Sansha, in Hainan Province. The PRC thus claims the ROC-controlled islands as part of its own Taiwan Province (Taiwan and Penghu), Fujian Province (Kinmen, Matsu, and Wuqiu), Guangdong Province (Dongsha) and Hainan Province (Nansha).

See also

References

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{{Asia topic|List of islands of}}

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Taiwan, List

Taiwan

Islands

Taiwan, List

Islands