The pact protects respective fishing rights in waters near the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea but does not impinge upon ROC sovereignty over the archipelago, Ma said during an event in Yilan County’s Suao Port, eastern Taiwan, marking the anniversary of the pact’s signing.
Under the agreement, Taiwan fishermen are able to operate across an additional 4,530 square kilometers between 27 degrees north latitude and Japan’s Yaeyama Islands, without interference by Japanese authorities. Taiwan fishermen’s bluefin tuna catch in this area has since tripled, both in terms of volume and value.
The pact was followed by the establishment of a joint fishing commission last May, which serves as an institutionalized negotiation mechanism for ongoing Taiwan-Japan cooperation on issues of mutual concern.
The spirit of the bilateral fisheries pact is in line with the East China Sea Peace Initiative. Proposed Aug. 5, 2012, by Ma, it seeks to resolve disagreements over the Diaoyutais in a progressive and pragmatic manner.
The five-point initiative urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; shelve controversies and not abandon dialogue; observe international law and resolve disputes through peaceful means; seek consensus on a code of conduct in the region; and establish a mechanism for cooperation on exploring and developing resources.
The Diaoyutais are an uninhabited archipelago located roughly 102 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan proper. The tiny island group is historically attached to the nation.
In 2012, the Japanese government’s attempt to nationalize the Diaoyutais caused serious repercussions in East Asia. But the initiative has calmed troubled waters and forged a path of coexistence and mutual prosperity.
The initiative’s peacemaking principles have won increasing support from the international community.
In recent testimonies before U.S. Congress, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel lauded Taiwan’s efforts to approach regional disputes peacefully and pragmatically, praising the initiative as being “at the heart of the U.S. strategy and the U.S. effort, namely respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes.” (YHC-JSM)
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