Ligao Island, one of the Spratly Islands and internationally known as Itu Aba Island, figured in the news last month when Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian landed on the island on February 2. He inaugurated a newly-built runway there and was accompanied by an impressive naval fleet. This visit raised diplomatic protests from both the Philippines and China and was characterized as “irresponsible political posturing” by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. See this news article from ABS-CBN.

Ligao Island, named as Taiping Island (太平島) by Taiwan, is the largest island (46 hectares) of the disputed Spratly Island group and is controlled by Taiwan. If you recall, Pag-asa Island, which we’ve featured before, is the second-largest island and is controlled by the Philippines. Taiwan administers Ligao Island as part of the city of Kaohsiung while the Philippines considers this island part of the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan.

As I’ve often said, you can find more information about this featured sight in Wikipedia.

Download KML file (for Google Earth)