Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou paid a visit on Thursday to Taiping Island, the largest island of the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

In a speech to people living on the island, Ma said the sovereignty of the Nansha, Xisha, Zhongsha, Dongshan islands and surrounding waters is beyond doubt, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Ma said that Taiwan will work to end disputes, pursue peace and promote joint development in the South China Sea.