Taiwan and Japan concluded an important agreement April 10 on protecting respective fishing rights in waters near the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.
“The pact expands the areas in which Taiwan fishermen can operate without interference by Japanese authorities,” ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin said. “This represents significant progress in fostering cooperative relations between both nations.”
Lin made the remarks at a news conference following the 17th round of Taiwan-Japan fishery talks in Taipei City.
The talks were presided over by Liao Liou-yi, chairman of Taipei-based Association of East Asian Relations, and Mitsuo Ohashi, head of Tokyo-headquartered Interchange Association. Also attending were representatives from the ROC Coast Guard Administration and Fisheries Agency, as well as a Japan delegation comprising relevant government officials.
Under the agreement, Taiwan and Japan fishermen can operate across an additional 4,530 square km area from 27 degrees north latitude to Japan’s Yaeyama Islands.
The two sides also pledged to set up a joint fishing commission to deal with related issues in the region, with officials scheduled to meet at least once a year.
Importantly, the pact does not impinge upon ROC sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, nor does it apply to waters within 12 nautical miles of the archipelago.
“We insisted on adding a clause to ensure our sovereignty and territorial claims will not be undermined by the fishery agreement,” Lin said. “Although the government maintains its rock-solid stance on ROC sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, there is every possibility that natural resources in the region can be shared.
“This stance is in line with the government’s East China Sea peace initiative and wish to resolve disagreements over the Diaoyutais in a progressive and pragmatic manner,” he added.
Proposed Aug. 5, 2012, by ROC 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. (RC-JSM)
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