The Taiwanese Defense Ministry told Reuters that Ma had departed for Itu Aba. He is scheduled to hold a news conference around 1100 GMT on his arrival back in Taiwan. Washington, Taiwan's biggest ally, on Wednesday called Ma's trip "extremely unhelpful", adding it would not do anything to resolve disputes over the waterway.

Taiwan president flies to disputed island in South China Sea. (2016, January 29). Manila Bulletin, p. 13.