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Military to guard president during visit to islet near Tiaoyutais

ROC Central News Agency

2012/09/05 20:37:30

Taipei, Sept. 5 (CNA) The military will dispatch warplanes and frigates to ensure the safety of President Ma Ying-jeou during his upcoming visit to an islet not far from the Tiaoyutai Islands, an official said Wednesday.

The Ministry of National Defense will be responsible for transportation and safety measures regarding Ma's visit to Taiwan-controlled Pengjia Islet on Friday, ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Luo Shou-he said.

Pengjia Islet is situated just over 30 nautical miles north of Keelung and 76 nautical miles west of the Tiaoyutais in the East China Sea. The islet is Taiwan's northernmost territory that is closest to the disputed island chain.

At a news conference earlier in the day, Luo said the Air Force and the Navy conduct daily patrol missions to safeguard the country, adding that the ministry will incorporate routine procedures to protect the president.

Meanwhile, Luo denied the local media report on Wednesday that the Navy has sent two frigates to the edge of Taiwan's air defense identification zone to make sure Ma's flight to Pengjia Islet will remain in the zone.

"The report is absolutely not true," Luo said in response to a reporter's question on the issue.

Ma's visit to Pengjia Islet comes amid growing tension over competing claims over the Tiaoyutais, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan.

Taiwan, Japan and China have been making competing claims to the islands for several years.

The Japanese media reported Wednesday that the Japanese government has reached an agreement with a private owner of three islets in the Tiaoyutais to buy them for 2.05 billion Japanese yen (around US$26 million).

Taiwan's government, in response, said the country's sovereignty over the island chain will remain unchanged and reiterated that the Tiaoyutais are an inherent part of the country's territory.

(By Elaine Hou)