MOFA calls for restraint on disputed islands in East China Sea
ROC Central News Agency
2013/01/11 18:55:50
Taipei, Jan. 11 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Friday called for restraint and rationality in handling the dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands and urged the parties involved not to adopt unilateral action that could heighten tensions in the region.
Ministry spokesman Steve Hsia urged all parties to engage in dialogue and put aside disputes to co-develop resources thought to exist near the islands in the East China Sea.
Hsia made the appeal amid reports of simmering tensions between Japan and China over the disputed islands.
Japanese media reported that more than 10 Chinese fighter jets flew just north of the Diaoyutai Islands on Thursday and entered Japan's air defense identification zone.
The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighters to head off the planes, and no clashes occurred.
Tensions between China and Japan have risen after Japan nationalized the island group last year.
The Diaoyutai Islands, located 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan, have been under Japanese administrative control since 1972 but are also claimed by Taiwan and China.
(By Chen Pei-huan and Lilian Wu)
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