An Executive Yuan spokesman yesterday ruled out the possibility of Premier Frank Hsieh (
Discounting media reports that Hsieh would probably board a Knox-class frigate today to inspect the situation in disputed waters where Taiwan's boundary overlaps with that of Japan, Cabinet spokesman Cho Jung-tai (
Although Hsieh will not board the frigate, the resolve of the premier and the government to protect the rights and interests of the country's fishermen is unwavering, Cho said.
The frigate is scheduled to sail to waters near a disputed part of the East China Sea today to allow lawmakers to view how the administration is protecting Taiwan's fishermen operating there.
The spokesman stressed that it is not necessary for the premier sail to the disputed area to demonstrate the administration's determination in protecting the fishermen.
He added that having Hsieh join the voyage would blur the focus of the government's efforts to protect fishermen in the area and would raise tensions, which he said the premier wishes to avoid.
Taiwanese fishing ships have repeatedly been expelled or detained by Japanese patrol vessels over the past two years after Japan readjusted and expanded its exclusive economic zone to as close as some 37km off the coasts of Ilan and Hualien counties.
The Cabinet has filed a protest against Japan over the controversy via Taiwan's liaison office in Tokyo and has asked that Taiwan and Japan seek to resolve their fishing disputes through dialogue in line with international law.
Ahead of the 15th round of Taiwan-Japan fishery talks, Taiwanese fishermen have been asked by the Coast Guard Administration to operate within the area temporarily demarcated by the government.
Meanwhile, the Suao Fishermen's Association reported recently that 13 Suao fishing boats have been seized by Japan since 2001 while operating in Taiwan's economic zone, and the boat owners or families of the fishermen have had to pay for their release.
An association official said that overlapping economic zones and fishing rights being encroached upon are long-standing problems, and if the government is unable to solve them, the fishermen could stage a bigger protest next time.
LOW RISK: Most nations do not extradite people accused of political crimes, and the UN says extradition can only happen if the act is a crime in both countries, an official said China yesterday issued wanted notices for two Taiwanese influencers, accusing them of committing “separatist acts” by criticizing Beijing, amid broadening concerns over China’s state-directed transnational repression. The Quanzhou Public Security Bureau in a notice posted online said police are offering a reward of up to 25,000 yuan (US$3,523) for information that could contribute to the investigation or apprehension of pro-Taiwanese independence YouTuber Wen Tzu-yu (溫子渝),who is known as Pa Chiung (八炯) online, and rapper Chen Po-yuan (陳柏源). Wen and Chen are suspected of spreading content that supported secession from China, slandered Chinese policies that benefit Taiwanese and discrimination against Chinese spouses of
ALIGNED THINKING: Taiwan and Japan have a mutual interest in trade, culture and engineering, and can work together for stability, Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan and Japan are two like-minded countries willing to work together to form a “safety barrier” in the Indo-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) yesterday said at the opening ceremony of the 35th Taiwan-Japan Modern Engineering and Technology Symposium in Taipei. Taiwan and Japan are close geographically and closer emotionally, he added. Citing the overflowing of a barrier lake in the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) in September, Cho said the submersible water level sensors given by Japan during the disaster helped Taiwan monitor the lake’s water levels more accurately. Japan also provided a lot of vaccines early in the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,
PROMOTION: Travelers who want a free stopover must book their flights with designated travel agents, such as Lion Travel, Holiday Tours, Cola Tour and Life Tours Air Canada yesterday said it is offering Taiwanese travelers who are headed to North America free stopovers if they transit though airports in Japan and South Korea. The promotion was launched in response to a potential rise in demand for flights to North America in June and July next year, when the US, Canada and Mexico are scheduled to jointly host the FIFA World Cup, Air Canada said. Air Canada offers services to 13 of the 16 host cities of the tournament’s soccer games, including Toronto and Vancouver; Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston; Dallas; Houston;
The US approved the possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet spare and repair parts for US$330 million, the Pentagon said late yesterday, marking the first such potential transaction since US President Donald Trump took office in January. "The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of the recipient's fleet of F-16, C-130," and other aircraft, the Pentagon said in a statement. Trump previously said that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has told him he would not invade Taiwan while the Republican leader is in office. The announcement of the possible arms
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