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Peace initiative most promising solution to disputes: Ma

ROC Central News Agency

2013/08/05 14:21:47

Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday the East China Sea Peace Initiative, Taiwan's proposal for a mutually beneficial solution to territorial disputes in that region, meets the best interests of the countries involved.

'Taiwan wants to position itself as a peacemaker in the region,' the president said at a Taipei forum that brought together experts from around 20 countries to discuss the initiative's possible impacts amid rising tensions.

The initiative is promising because it allows countries with claims on or around the contested Dioayutai Islands to establish a mechanism for cooperation and joint exploration of resources without having to compromise their sovereignty, Ma said.

The Diaoyutais, called the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China, lie about 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan.

They have been under Japan's administrative control since 1972 but are also claimed by Taiwan and China.

Tensions have run high in the region since the Japanese government bought three of the uninhabited islets from a private owner last September in an attempt to reinforce its sovereignty claim.

The spirit of the initiative can also be applied to other disputes, like the row that erupted after Philippine Coast Guard personnel killed a Taiwanese fisherman, the president said.

In recognition of the importance of peace, both countries have agreed to hold a meeting to discuss ways to resolve the row. Likely issues include how to avoid the use of force, notify each other in the event of fishing boat incidents, and release detained fishermen and boats immediately, Ma said.

A patrol vessel from the Philippines opened fire on May 9 on a Taiwanese fishing vessel, the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, in an overlapping exclusive economic zone of the two countries.

Taiwan responded to the incident by imposing sanctions on the Philippines over the incident, including a freeze on hiring Filipino workers, a 'red' travel advisory for the country, and revoking previous visa-free privileges for Philippines citizens with U.S., Schengen or Japanese visas.

Both countries have conducted independent investigations, but neither has released a report as of August.

(By Lee Hsin-Yin)
ENDITEM/WH