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Hundreds protest in Taipei against Japan's purchase of isles

ROC Central News Agency

2012/09/23 21:28:56

Taipei, Sept. 23 (CNA) Hundreds of people took to the streets of Taipei on Sunday to protest against Japan's recent purchase of three islands in the disputed Diaoyutai chain.

The demonstrators marched from National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall to the Taipei office of Japan's Interchange Association to deliver a letter of protest against Japan's attempts to nationalize the resource-rich islands in the East China Sea.

After a peaceful two-hour march, the protesters arrived in front of the office of the association, which represents Japan's interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

A representative of the demonstrators then presented the letter of protest to Masahiko Sugita, director of General and Economic Affairs at the association's Taipei office.

In the letter, the group called for Japan to "leave the Diaoyutais immediately" and "return the Diaoyutais to Taiwan."

Sugita accepted the letter without comment. An official at the association told CNA that there will be no response to the letter for the time being.

The island chain has been under Japan's control since 1972, but is also claimed by Taiwan and China.

The demonstration in Taipei came amid escalating tensions over the Diaoyutais, since Japan on Sept. 11 moved to nationalize the island group by buying three of them from a private owner, spurring anti-Japanese protests in many Chinese cities and Hong Kong.

The protesters chanted slogans such as "the Diaoyutais are ours" and waved national flags of the Republic of China, as Taiwan is called officially.

Some of demonstrators also called for Taiwan to join forces with China against Japan in the Diaoyutai dispute and waved national flags of the People's Republic of China.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its stance that the Taiwan government will not collaborate with China on the issue.

"We have our own policies and interests," ministry spokesman Steve Hsia said.

Reiterating the ROC's sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, Hsia said the public and all political parties are welcome to work with the government to protect the country's territory by peaceful means.

After Japan's move to nationalize the Diaoyutais, Taiwan recalled its representative to Japan Shen Ssu-tsun.

The uninhabited Diaoyutai Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China, lie about 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/ pc