The Fisheries Agency yesterday called on the Philippines not to use unnecessary force to regulate fishing activities in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) where it overlaps Taiwan’s, following a report on Thursday that Manila plans to build a marine base near Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼).
The Philippines is next month to start building a marine base on its northernmost Mavulis Island — called Yami Island by Taiwan — which is about 98km from Orchid Island, Reuters reported, citing Lieutenant-Colonel Isagani Nato, spokesman for the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command.
A small marine unit is to be stationed on the island, Nato said, adding that the structure would provide shelter to fishermen.
The uninhabited, Mavulis and Orchid island’s are separated by the Bashi Channel, a waterway that often witnesses fishing disputes between Taipei and Manila.
In May 2013, Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成) was shot to death by the Philippines Coast Guard, causing tensions between the two nations.
“The Philippines’ reinforcement of its facilities on the island will not change the fact that its territorial waters largely overlap those of Taiwan,” the Coast Guard Administration said on Thursday.
Disputes over fishing in overlapping territorial waters should be negotiated through foreign affairs and fisheries agencies, the administration said, adding that it would adjust its deployment of patrol vessels if necessary.
The construction of the marine base might “increase the risk of Taiwanese fishing activities,” but the Fisheries Agency would actively cooperate with foreign affairs agencies to discuss cooperation regarding fishing activities, the agency said yesterday.
On Nov. 5, 2015, Taiwan and the Philippines signed an agreement on fishing law enforcement, agreeing not to resort to violence or unnecessary force when enforcing laws, the agency said, adding that law enforcement in the zone is still a contentious issue that needs further negotiation.
Under the agency’s advice, most Taiwanese fishermen have avoided entering the overlapping exclusive economic zone — 12 nautical miles and 24 nautical miles (22km and 44km) from their territorial sea baseline, the agency said.
Premier William Lai (賴清德) yesterday said that the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would determine if the plan is in line with international laws before speaking publicly.
Beijing could eventually see a full amphibious invasion of Taiwan as the only "prudent" way to bring about unification, the US Department of Defense said in a newly released annual report to Congress. The Pentagon's "Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025," was in many ways similar to last year’s report but reorganized the analysis of the options China has to take over Taiwan. Generally, according to the report, Chinese leaders view the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) capabilities for a Taiwan campaign as improving, but they remain uncertain about its readiness to successfully seize
HORROR STORIES: One victim recounted not realizing they had been stabbed and seeing people bleeding, while another recalled breaking down in tears after fleeing A man on Friday died after he tried to fight the knife-wielding suspect who went on a stabbing spree near two of Taipei’s busiest metro stations, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. The 57-year-old man, identified by his family name, Yu (余), encountered the suspect at Exit M7 of Taipei Main Station and immediately tried to stop him, but was fatally wounded and later died, Chiang said, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” Yu’s family would receive at least NT$5 million (US$158,584) in compensation through the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp’s (TRTC) insurance coverage, he said after convening an emergency security response meeting yesterday morning. National
Taiwan has overtaken South Korea this year in per capita income for the first time in 23 years, IMF data showed. Per capita income is a nation’s GDP divided by the total population, used to compare average wealth levels across countries. Taiwan also beat Japan this year on per capita income, after surpassing it for the first time last year, US magazine Newsweek reported yesterday. Across Asia, Taiwan ranked fourth for per capita income at US$37,827 this year due to sustained economic growth, the report said. In the top three spots were Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong, it said. South
PLANNED: The suspect visited the crime scene before the killings, seeking information on how to access the roof, and had extensively researched a 2014 stabbing incident The suspect in a stabbing attack that killed three people and injured 11 in Taipei on Friday had planned the assault and set fires at other locations earlier in the day, law enforcement officials said yesterday. National Police Agency (NPA) Director-General Chang Jung-hsin (張榮興) said the suspect, a 27-year-old man named Chang Wen (張文), began the attacks at 3:40pm, first setting off smoke bombs on a road, damaging cars and motorbikes. Earlier, Chang Wen set fire to a rental room where he was staying on Gongyuan Road in Zhongzheng District (中正), Chang Jung-hsin said. The suspect later threw smoke grenades near two exits
RSS