Staff writer, with CNA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) recently rebutted an Internet article accusing President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of supporting a US-Japan treaty that would favor Japan’s claim over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) in the East China Sea.
“President Ma stands firm on the Republic of China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, although he has praised the treaty as being conducive to maintaining peace and security in East Asia,” the ministry said.
The article, widely circulated on the Internet in recent days, said Ma supports the idea that the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the US and Japan should apply to the Diaoyutais — now controlled by Japan, but also claimed by Taiwan and China — which means he has substantially given up Taiwan’s claim over the islands.
Under the treaty signed in 1960, the US and Japan are obliged to maintain and develop their capacities to resist armed attack together and to assist each other in case of armed attack on territories under Japanese administration.
The Diaoyutai Islands, known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan, is a group of islands that lie about 100 nautical miles (185km) off Taiwan’s northeastern tip and are thought to be rich in crude oil reserves and natural resources.
The Internet article is “totally untrue and an ill-intentioned smear of the president,” MOFA said.
The ministry said Ma and his administration have long insisted that the controversy surrounding the Diaoyutais should be resolved in a peaceful and rational way with dialogue among the relevant parties to address such issues as fishing rights and joint development of natural resources.
In addition, the government will do its best to safeguard the rights and safety of Taiwanese fishermen operating around the Diaoyutais, the ministry said.
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