Taiwan president says visit to disputed island promotes peace

By J.R. Wu TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, ignoring U.S. criticism, flew to a disputed island in the South China Sea on Thursday to reaffirm Taipei's sovereignty and said the trip was aimed at promoting peace. Ma's one-day visit to Itu Aba came amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the South China Sea, especially in the wake of Beijing's rapid creation of seven man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago. Washington, Taiwan's biggest ally, on Wednesday call