Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

The tribunal for the South China Sea arbitration classified Taiping Island as a rock. Under international law, rocks are not entitled to a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. There have been protests in Taiwan ever since.

On Wednesday, fishermen from Pingdung county in the south set sail for Taiping Island to protect their fishing rights and prove to the world that Taiping is an island, not a rock. Their flotilla consists of five fishing boats.

Cheng Chun-chung, who initiated the protest against the ruling by arbitration tribunal, speaks during a ceremony, on July 20, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

The fishermen said they plan to go fishing in the island’s economic zone and land on Taiping. They intend to cook and draw natural fresh water there to prove Taiping’s island status. The fishermen said it may take five to six days to reach the island.