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Ma to promote peace during visit to islet near Diaoyutais

ROC Central News Agency

2016/04/08 23:22:53

Taipei, April 8 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) will unveil a monument to his East China Sea peace initiative when he visits an islet near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands on Saturday, during which he will also speak about his vision of peace in the East China and South China seas, as well as the Taiwan Strait.

During the visit to Pengjia Islet, Ma will host the unveiling ceremony and give a speech.

The islet is situated just over 30 nautical miles north of the northern Taiwanese city of Keelung and 76 nautical miles west of the Diaoyutais in the East China Sea. Under the administrative jurisdiction of Keelung City, Pengjia Islet is Taiwan's northernmost territory that is closest to the Diaoyutais.

The visit will come after Ma proposed his East China Sea Peace Initiative in August 2012, amid escalating spats among neighboring countries over the uninhabited Diaoyutai island chain, which is currently controlled by Japan, but is also claimed by Taiwan and China.

In his speech, Ma will speak about his first-ever trip to Pengjia Islet in September 2012, during which he laid out details of the peace proposal.

Ma will also again advocate shelving differences, pursuing peace and reciprocity and working together to explore resources in the region.

In order to achieve an "East China Sea Peace Agreement," the president will call for Taiwan, China and Japan to first conduct three parallel tracks of bilateral dialogue, and then move to a single track of trilateral negotiations to explore the possibility of jointly developing resources in the East China Sea.

Ma will also take note of a historic fishery agreement signed between Taiwan and Japan on April 10, 2013 to address long-standing fishing disputes in the contested area.

During his speech, Ma will also mention his South China Sea Peace Initiative, which was proposed last year amid simmering tensions over competing territorial claims in that area from several countries.

The initiative calls for all parties concerned to take action to reduce tensions, abide by international law, ensure the freedom of navigation and overflight and seek a peaceful resolution to disputes.

According to Ma, the agreement on law enforcement cooperation in fisheries matters signed last November between Taiwan and the Philippines was the first positive concrete result stemming from his South China Sea Peace Initiative.

Ma will also touch on his visit in January to Taiping Island, which is the largest island in the Spratlys in the South China Sea and is controlled by Taiwan. He will once again make the case that Taiping meets the definition of an island.

During that visit, Ma proposed the roadmap of his South China Sea Peace Initiative, making clear the Republic of China's resolve to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes in the South China Sea.

In addition to the East China and South China seas, Ma will talk about his administration's effort to improve relations with China and reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Ma will highlight the ROC's efforts to pursue peace in areas from the Taiwan Strait to the East China and South China seas, which he believes show that the country is realizing its goal of being a peace maker.

(By Hsieh Chia-chen and Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/cs