The Diaoyutai Islands are an integral part of ROC territory and the nation exercises full sovereignty over the archipelago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said April 17.
MOFA’s remarks came after Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara said April 16 at a speech in Washington that Tokyo will purchase the Diaoyutai Islands.
“The ROC has consistently upheld the principles of ‘safeguarding sovereignty, shelving disputes, peace and reciprocity, and joint exploration’ in dealing with the matter,” MOFA said. “We urge all relevant sides to tackle the issue in a reasonable and proper manner.”
MOFA will not recognize any talks or actions taken by Japanese politicians regarding the Diaoyutai Islands, it stressed. “We urge the Japanese government to refrain from discourse that damages ROC sovereignty and to avoid making statements injurious to bilateral relations.”
Located 102 nautical miles northeast of the northern tip of Taiwan, the Diaoyutai Archipelago, known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan, is a tiny island group historically attached to the ROC.
Measuring 612.18 hectares, the archipelago, which includes Diaoyutai Island and the Chiwei, Huangwei, Northern and Southern islets, is administered by Toucheng Township, Yilan County, MOFA said. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw