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Taiwan urges Japan to refrain from 'nationalizing' Tiaoyutais

ROC Central News Agency

2012/07/26 19:39:51

Taipei, July 26 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday it has conveyed its concern to Japan over its reported plan to nationalize the Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea, and has reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty over the island group.

Following reports that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said his administration plans to acquire part of the island group from private owners, Taiwan's representative office in Japan expressed its concern to the Japanese government about the effects of such a development, the ministry said.

Taiwan has asked Japan to refrain from such action, as it would compromise relations between them, said Su Qi-cheng, deputy secretary-general of the MOFA's Association of East Asia Relations.

Meanwhile, Su said he will seek confirmation with Taiwan's representative office in Japan of reports that Japanese parliamentarians across party lines are planning to visit the Tiaoyutais as a gesture to demonstrate their country's sovereignty over the island group.

The MOFA will continue to engage in dialogue with Japan's foreign ministry on the thorny issue, Su said.

The Tiaoyutai Islands are known as the Diaoyutai Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan. Both countries also claim sovereignty over the island group.

(By Emmanuel Tseng and Ann Chen)