The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Japan Jan. 24 to adopt a rational and peaceful attitude toward a protest voyage staged by Taiwan people in the waters off the Diaoyutai Archipelago, expressing hopes that planned bilateral fishery talks will proceed despite the incident.
“This was a spontaneous and legal sail initiated by citizens who had cleared all administration procedures in advance,” said Su Chii-cherng, deputy director-general of the MOFA Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
Su, who made the remarks at a regular news briefing, confirmed that a fishing boat carrying members of the Taipei-based Chinese Association for Protecting the Diaoyutais set out from Taiwan’s northeastern Yilan County at 1:45 a.m. for the archipelago escorted by four Coast Guard Administration vessels.
The group had intended to enshrine a statue of Matsu, goddess of the sea, on the uninhabited island group but was driven off by Japan Coast Guard.
Su said Japan authorities had expressed concern over the incident, and in response the MOFA reiterated the government’s rock-solid stance on Diaoyutai sovereignty.
“The Diaoyutais are an inherent part of national territory and an appendage island group of Taiwan,” Su said. “Their surrounding waters have long been used by Taiwan fishermen who have indisputable rights to operate in the region.”
The MOFA hopes that the incident will not affect the second preparatory meeting for a new round of Taiwan-Japan fishery talks, Su said, calling for peaceful resolution of Diaoyutai disputes based on the East China Sea peace initiative.
Proposed Aug. 5, 2012, by President Ma Ying-jeou, the five-point initiative urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis.
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 and includes Diaoyutai Island and four other islets. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw