A senior Presidential Office official lashed out yesterday at Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
"The government's responsibility is to solve problem. It must clearly spot the crux of the problem and tackle it with a correct and efficient approach," said Presidential Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun.
"One can't afford to be foolhardy and act recklessly or emotionally nor should one casually resort to force to solve issues and jeopardize the people's life, property and security," Yu said
In reference to the Diaoyutais (
The Diaoyutais are a group of islets which have been held by Japan since 1971. Taiwan and China also claim the islets. Given that 321.8km exclusive economic zones of Taiwan and Japan overlap in waters close to the Diaoyutais, fishing disputes are common.
Ma slammed Chen yesterday for "being too cowardly" for not coming forward and speak about the nation's claim to the islets.
"President Chen yesterday said loudly and clearly that the Diaoyutais belong to Taiwan," Yu said, referring to remarks the president made on Wednesday during a meeting with Democratic Progressive Party officials.
Chen said the government has never wavered on its sovereignty claim over the Diaoyutais.
"Just because Mayor Ma didn't hear [what Chen said] can he criticize the president for not saying [that the Diaoyutais belong to Taiwan,]" Yu said.
While reiterated that Chen, as the nation's top leader, is obligated to and will absolutely defend the nation's dignity, sovereignty and territory, Yu -- repeating remarks made by Chen on Wednesday -- said that the recent row with Japan is an issue of fishery rights and not sovereignty, and the government will seek to protect its fishermen's rights through negotiations, which are set for the end of next month.
Noting that some people had called for a war with Japan to protect the fishermen's rights, yet no one has spoken of a war with China to protect the nation after Beijing enacted its "Anti-Secession" Law in March that said it was willing to resort to force to annex Taiwan, Yu asked if there was "a double standard."
Meanwhile, Vice President Annette Lu (
"Why stand up for safeguarding the Diaoyutais yet not do the same for Taiwan?" Lu said. "Why didn't Ma march together with the million people who protested against the Anti-Secession' Law when Beijing enacted it in March?"
"Where were these people when back when it was more necessary to safeguard Taiwan's sovereignty?" Lu said. "Who is a coward and who is valiant?"
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
Carrefour Taiwan is to begin using a new name from the start of July, but it cannot divulge the name until then, the chairman of the supermarket chain's parent company said today. President Chain Store Co chairman Lo Chih-hsien (羅智先) was asked by reporters after a shareholders' meeting to confirm whether the company has settled on a new name for the supermarket brand. In March, the government-registered name of two Carrefour Taiwan branches was quietly changed to "Le Chia Kang" (樂家康) in Chinese, raising speculation that has been selected as the name. Lo said that because of local regulations and contractual obligations, the
The Philippines would likely be involved in any conflict over Taiwan due to its proximity to the democracy claimed by China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said, reiterating a stance that risks angering Beijing. “In the Philippines, we do not have a choice because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals living and working in Taiwan,” Marcos said in an interview with Japanese media in Manila on Monday. The Philippine leader’s comments come ahead of a state visit to Japan next week, where he is to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss security
RSS