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Taiwan urges Japan to recognize Diaoyutais dispute

ROC Central News Agency

2012/09/27 15:59:33

Taipei, Sept. 27 (CNA) Taiwan once again called on Japan to recognize the existence of the territorial dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands, a Foreign Ministry official said Thursday in response to Japan's rejection of the controversy over the island group.

"If Japan does not recognize the dispute, the issue will not be resolved," ministry spokesman Steve Hsia said amid escalating tension in the East China Sea stemming from competing claims over the Diaoyutais.

Hsia's remarks came following reports that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda described the islands as part of Japan's inherent territory at a Wednesday news conference in New York after attending the U.N. General Assembly.

"There are no territorial issues as such. Therefore, there cannot be any compromise that represents a retreat from this position," Noda was quoted as saying by Reuters.

In response, Hsia reiterated that the islands are Republic of China territory. Taiwan will not accept any claims that undermine the country's sovereignty over the island chain, he added.

Hsia also called on all parties concerned to address the issue in a peaceful and rational manner.

The uninhabited Diaoyutai Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China, lie about 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan. They have been under Japan's control since 1972, but are also claimed by Taiwan and China.

Tension over the Diaoyutais has escalated since Sept. 11, when Japan moved to nationalize the island group by buying three of its islets from a private owner, spurring anti-Japanese protests in many Chinese cities, as well as in Hong Kong and Taipei.

A flotilla of 75 Taiwanese fishing boats, escorted by coast guard vessels, sailed close to the islets Tuesday to assert Taiwan's sovereignty over the islands and their right to fish there. The action prompted an altercation between Taiwanese and Japanese coast guard vessels that involved the use of water cannons.

Amid the growing tension, Taiwan also asked its diplomatic allies to help seek international support during this year's U.N. General Assembly from late September to early October for an East China Sea peace initiative proposed in August by President Ma Ying-jeou, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Marshall Islands and Nauru, two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, called for all parties concerned to seek a peaceful resolution and to recognize Taiwan's role in consolidating stability in the region during a U.N. General Assembly session that took place Sept. 25, the ministry said.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J