Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) yesterday reaffirmed the government’s position that Taiwan will not make any concessions on the nation’s territorial sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) and called on Japan to deal with the matter with rationality and deliberation.
“There is no question that the Diaoyutais have been an integral part of the territory of the Republic of China [ROC] since ancient times, as evidenced by historical facts, geology, international law and the operations of traditional Taiwanese fishermen,” Yang said on the sidelines of a press conference to promote an emergency aid application for Taiwanese traveling abroad, known as Travel Emergency Guidance, launched by the ministry.
Yang said that despite the nation’s full sovereignty over the islands, the government must put aside long-standing disputes over the matter while inviting other countries to jointly explore and share resources in an amicable, equal and a reciprocal manner.
The foreign minister made the remark following a new round of disputes over the islands, as well as confirmation by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Saturday of a report that the Japanese government was mulling buying a chain of islands in the Diaoyutais from a Japanese man who claims them as his inheritance and nationalizing them at a later date.
Asked about the possibility of the government adopting “concrete measures” to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, Yang said the ministry would seek further deliberation with concerned agencies and put in place proper countermeasures.
“[Any future actions] would be contingent on the development of the matter,” Yang said.
Meanwhile, the Chinese navy yesterday started a six-day live-fire military drill, which will run through Sunday, in the East China Sea. The exercise comes at a sensitive time and has added to the already considerable tension in the region.
Yang urged all parties to remain calm and react cautiously while refraining from any inflammatory rhetoric or conduct that could adversely impact the regional status quo.
He reiterated that Taiwan would not join hands with China in asserting sovereignty over the islands, adding the country has its own stance and national interests on the issue.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
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The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
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