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U.S.-Japan treaty has no affect on Taiwan's claim over Tiaoyutais

ROC Central News Agency

2012/07/12 12:42:57

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) A 1960 treaty between the United States and Japan does not affect Taiwan's sovereignty over the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

"We stand firm that the Tiaoyutais belong to us," said Bruce Linghu, director-general of the ministry's Department of North American Affairs, in a regular press conference.

Linghu's remarks came amid a series of recent disputes between Taiwan, Japan and China over the island group. Concerns, however, have arisen over whether the U.S. will side with Japan on the issue.

"The United States has said before that it does not have a stance on the Tiaoyutais," said Steve Hsia, the ministry's spokesman.

Hsia noted that the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the U.S. and Japan is aimed at "securing regional peace" but does not dwell on the sovereignty of the islands.

Article 5 of the treaty mandates that "each Party recognizes that an armed attack against either Party in the territories under the administration of Japan would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional provisions and processes."

The Tiaoyutais are known as the Diaoyutai Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan, both of which also claim sovereignty.

(By Nancy Liu)