It also announced that the Navy would deploy a Kang Ding-class frigate to patrol the South China Sea tomorrow – one day ahead of schedule – to ensure stability in the area and protect its territory.

Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang said that Taiwan had never been a participant in the tribunal and that the tribunal had never sought any input from Taiwan.

The ruling, especially in its categorisation of Taiping Island as not constituting an island, had severely damaged Taiwan’s claim to sovereignty over territory and waters in the area, he said.

“We reiterate that the South China Sea islands and related seas belong to the Republic of China,” Huang said.

“This is our stance and insistence. We will definitely protect our nation’s sovereign territories and rights, and will not let any harm come to our nation’s interests.”

Taiwan believes that South China Sea disputes should be addressed peacefully through multilateral negotiations, Huang said, adding that the administration was willing to work with other countries to promote a safe and stable region on the basis of equal talks.