Taiwan president Ma says to travel to Itu Aba in South China Sea Thursday

TAIPEI: Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will travel to Itu Aba in the South China Sea on Thursday, his first visit to the outlying island that Taiwan claims as its own in the disputed maritime area.

Ma, who steps down in May due to term limits, has requested that president-elect Tsai Ing-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) send a representative as well to travel to the island, known in Taiwan as Taiping. Ma will visit Itu Aba if weather permits, the presidential office said in its statement.