Taipei to Manila: We're not an infected China area

Taiwan's foreign ministry called on the Philippines government Tuesday to lift the travel ban imposed on Taiwanese visitors because of the coronavirus.

The ban was issued Monday night by the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board, which bars entry to all people - except for Filipino citizens - coming from China, Hong Kong and Macao.

The measure also includes Taiwan because the Philippines classifies Taiwan as part of China.

Taiwan's foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou told reporters in Taipei that Taiwan was not an infected Chinese region and was doing well to contain the spread of the virus.

According to Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control, the self-ruled island has 18 confirmed cases and the patients are all in stable condition.

Taiwan has developed its own identity since separating from China during the civil war in 1949, but has never declared formal independence.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and wants the island to reunite with the mainland.