Taiwan urges Japan to restrain over Tiaoyutai dispute
ROC Central News Agency
2012/07/25 23:13:46
Taipei, July 25 (CNA) Taiwan's government urged Japan to restrain itself on issues related to the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands Wednesday, amid reports that the Japanese government has moved to nationalize the island group in the resource-rich East China Sea.
In a statement, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the country's firm sovereignty over the Tiaoyutais, also known as the Diaoyutai Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan.
The ministry's remarks came after local media reported that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said recently at Japan's legislature that his administration has begun seeking funds to nationalize the Tiaoyutais.
The ministry said it has expressed "serious concerns" to Japan over the issue and "urged Japan to restrain and avoid hurting Taiwan-Japan relations."
It also called for neighboring countries to shelve the dispute and seek joint cooperation based on reciprocity to explore resources surrounding the island chain to maintain regional stability and peace, the statement read.
Taiwan, Japan and China have been engaging for several years in heated disputes over territorial claims over the Tiaoyutai Islands.
The latest flare-up in the dispute between Taiwan and Japan occurred several months earlier when Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara said the metropolitan government was planning to purchase the Tiaoyutais.
Taiwan has reiterated that the Tiaoyutais are "an inherent territory" of the country.
(By Elaine Hou)
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