Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) visited the disputed Spratly Islands in February this year and the Pratas Islands in July 2005 to assert sovereignty claims, but Wang yesterday declined to comment whether Ma would do the same, saying he had nothing to add beyond the statement.
Wang also declined to comment on whether it was possible to take the fishing disputes with Japan to the international court.
Regarding whether the government planned to dispatch warships to protect fishing rights, Wang said he would not answer a “hypothetical” question.
Regarding calls for Ou’s resignation, Wang declined to answer whether the ministry had neglected its duty, saying they would leave the matter to the Executive Yuan and that it was inappropriate for the president to step in because by doing so he would “confuse the constitutional order.”
Also yesterday, families of crew members of the boat that collided with the Japanese vessel and their supporters staged a protest in front of the Japanese representative office in Taipei.
“The Japanese authorities can expel the boat, but they cannot just hit the boat like that — it’s serious,” said Yang Fong-ying (楊鳳英), Ho’s wife.
Yang also expressed her dismay at the government’s reaction. “China has already protested, but our Fisheries Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs don’t dare to say anything!” She said. “Do [our fishing boats] have to fly the Chinese flag from now on to be safe?”
“I pray to Matsu [媽祖, the goddess of the sea] and all other immortals, please bring my husband back home safely,” she said. “The government is useless, so I’m asking you, the gods, to help.”
Taipei County Commissioner Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋), who accompanied the crew members’ families to the protest, urged the government to take stronger action against the Japanese government, including sending military vessels to safeguard Taiwanese fishing boats in the area.
An official from the Interchange Association accepted the letter of protest, but declined to comment until further directions from Tokyo.
Later yesterday, Executive Yuan Spokeswoman Vanessa Shih said the government has demanded Japan release Ho and offer compensation and an apology for the incident through diplomatic channels.
“The government hopes to receive a positive response [to the three demands] from Japan within a short time. If not, we won’t rule out other measures in handling [the case],” Shih said.
Shih made the remarks after Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) met with Chou and Yang yesterday.
Yang told the press that her husband had told his friends in Taiwan that the Japanese side asked for ¥500,000 (US$4,600) in exchange for his return.
Shih ruled out paying money to get the captain back, calling on the Japanese government to allow Taiwanese officials to accompany Ho during questioning.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHIH HSIU-CHUAN,
JIMMY CHUANG, FLORA WANG AND CNA
RSS