The US may be playing a major behind-the-scenes role in trying to calm growing tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman last week, a US Department of State official indicated on Wednesday.
“We urge the Philippines and Taiwan to take all appropriate measures to clarify disagreements and prevent recurrence of such tragic events,” acting deputy US Department of State spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.
Ventrell confirmed the US was in close communication with both sides, but refused to give details of Washington’s diplomatic involvement.
Photo: CNA
“We’re concerned by the increase in tensions between two neighboring democracies and close partners of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region,” Ventrell said.
He said that Philippine President Benigno Aquino III had appointed a personal representative to Taiwan to convey his deep regret and to apologize.
Another diplomatic source told the Taipei Times that Washington was “actively engaged” in trying to stop the incident from escalating and that there had been talks at the highest levels.
Speaking at the daily US Department of State press briefing, Ventrell said the US continued to urge both parties to ensure maritime safety and refrain from actions that could “further escalate tensions” in the region, and undermine the prospects for a rapid and effective resolution of differences.
“These are partners with whom we have extensive relationships,” he said. “I’m not going to get into the day-to-day readout of our diplomacy, whether it’s from Washington or our posts overseas. I’m just not going to get into that level of detail.”
He added that he did not know when the Philippine investigation into the shooting would be completed.
“It appears the incident took place in or near disputed waters, where the Philippines and Taiwan both claim fishing rights,” Ventrell said.
The US does not take a position on the proper location of a maritime boundary in that area.
Ventrell was reminded at the hearing that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had rejected the Philippines’ apology as lacking sincerity.
Asked if the US considered the apology to be sincere, Ventrell said that was a determination for Taiwan to make and discuss “as appropriate” with the Philippines.
Ventrell was asked if the Taiwan-Philippines “conflict” could undermine US interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
“I’m not going to draw that broad a conclusion, other than to say that we’re concerned about this increase in tension,” Ventrell said. “These are two partners that we have a robust relationship with ... and we want them to work through their differences on this issue as expeditiously as they can.”
Ventrell said that it was “precisely incidents such as this” which underscore the need for a code of conduct in the Pacific Ocean, where there are numerous disputed areas of territorial waters.
Asked if the US had dissuaded Taiwan from sending a military vessel to protect its fishermen in waters near the Philippines, Ventrell said he had no information on that suggestion “one way or the other.”
DETERRENCE: With 1,000 indigenous Hsiung Feng II and III missiles and 400 Harpoon missiles, the nation would boast the highest anti-ship missile density in the world With Taiwan wrapping up mass production of Hsiung Feng II and III missiles by December and an influx of Harpoon missiles from the US, Taiwan would have the highest density of anti-ship missiles in the world, a source said yesterday. Taiwan is to wrap up mass production of the indigenous anti-ship missiles by the end of year, as the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology has been meeting production targets ahead of schedule, a defense official with knowledge of the matter said. Combined with the 400 Harpoon anti-ship missiles Taiwan expects to receive from the US by 2028, the nation would have
North Korea yesterday fired about 10 ballistic missiles to the sea toward Japan, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, days after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over ongoing South Korea-US military drills. Pyongyang recently dashed hopes of a diplomatic thaw with Seoul, Washington’s security ally, describing its latest peace efforts as a “clumsy, deceptive farce.” Seoul’s military detected “around 10 ballistic missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea toward the East Sea [Sea of Japan] at around 1:20pm,” JCS said in a statement, referring to South Korea’s name for the body of water. The missiles
‘UNWAVERING FRIENDSHIP’: A representative of a Japanese group that co-organized a memorial, said he hopes Japanese never forget Taiwan’s kindness President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, urging continued cooperation between Taiwan and Japan on disaster prevention and humanitarian assistance. Lai wrote on social media that Taiwan and Japan have always helped each other in the aftermath of major disasters. The magnitude 9 earthquake struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, triggering a massive tsunami that claimed more than 19,000 lives, according to data from Japanese authorities. Following the disaster, Taiwan donated more than US$240 million in aid, making it one of the largest contributors of financial assistance to Japan. In addition to cash donations and
CLOSER TO CHINA: The upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000km, compared with the original model’s range of 200km, and can reach mainland China Japan is preparing to deploy its first batch of domestically developed long-range missiles, with their launchers arriving at an army camp yesterday, as the country accelerates its offensive capability in response to rising challenges in the region. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles are to be deployed at Camp Kengun in Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto by the end of this month, completing the process of deployment, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said without giving details. Army vehicles carrying the launchers and other equipment arrived past midnight in a highly secretive mission criticized by residents. Dozens of people stood outside of the
RSS