Ahead of the fifteenth Taiwan-Japan fishing talks slated to take place later this month, the Taiwan delegation led by ranking diplomat, Tsai Ming-yao (
We appreciate the Japanese government's practical approach to conducting dialogue with Taiwan, especially given that the two neighboring countries have no diplomatic ties. These two nations are not only geographically close but historically intertwined. Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese from 1895 to 1945, and Taiwan's economy has benefited from massive Japanese investments.
During the past decades, Taiwan's civic exchanges with Japan have grown ever closer. After five decades of friendly interaction, the Taiwanese people's bad memory of Japanese colonial rule has gradually faded away. Nowadays, Taiwanese enjoy both elite and popular Japanese culture by visiting Japan, reading its literature and watching its soap operas on TV. According to official figures from the Japanese government, Taiwanese visitors represent one of the biggest tourist groups traveling to Japan. Taiwan-Japanese relations are therefore acceptable, though in the absence of diplomatic ties they are not ideal.
Unfortunately, the row over the Diaoyutais' sovereignty and the two nations' overlapping economic zones is now a serious problem. Furthermore, China's involvement in the territorial disputes has complicated the situation. As expected, as Taiwan and Japan were holding their preparatory meeting on Tuesday, China couldn't miss the opportunity to warn Japan not to undertake any "activities violating the `one China' principle." China claimed that since a Chinese-Japanese fishing agreement has been signed, Japan should handle its problems with Taiwanese fishermen according to the guidelines of that agreement.
China's constant meddling in talks between Taiwan and other countries is tiresome and annoying. China's paranoid diplomacy will contribute nothing to the resolution of the Taiwan-Japan fishing dispute, but will only further antagonize Japan and Taiwan.
The Japanese government should ignore China's unpleasant remarks. Taiwan's delegation should also remind Japan to face the reality that Taiwanese fishermen's activities in the Diaoyutais area are a historical fact -- and that the concept of a "historical fishing ground" is recognized by international law.
Though Taiwan has strong historical grounds to claim sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, we also acknowledge the long-time existence of Japanese fishermen in this area. Therefore, we agree with the Taiwanese government's reasonable attitude, which is to avoid stirring up a dead-end dispute about sovereignty, but rather hammer out a reasonable compromise with Japan on sharing fishing resources.
This approach doesn't require that Taiwan give up its claim of sovereignty over the Diaoyutais. It simply bears in mind the importance of Taiwan's friendship with Japan. Provocative actions by either side are unhelpful; what is needed is a practical and rational resolution to the dispute.
We urge the Japanese government not to take advantage of Taiwan's good faith and diplomatic isolation. Our Japanese friends should also bear in mind that the Taiwan government is under pressure from pro-China forces in Taiwan, who share China's anti-Japanese sentiment.
The best way for both sides to avoid China's interference in this issue is to find a fair solution for Taiwanese fishermen. But the Taiwanese government must also be firm. We must avoid the horrible possibility that desperate Taiwanese fishermen will have to fly the Chinese flag in order to seek protection from Japanese vessels.
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