Following the announcement that Japan and the Philippines will launch negotiations on the delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its approval today. The Ministry indicated its willingness to further discuss the sharing of maritime resources and the maintenance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, building upon the fishery-related agreements Taiwan has already signed with both the Philippines and Japan. The Ministry stated this afternoon that the joint statement issued after the Japan-Philippines summit on May 28 indicated that both countries decided to launch EEZ and continental shelf boundary negotiations under the premise of complying with relevant international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Philippines and Japan's approach to resolving maritime issues through peaceful dialogue and adherence to international legal norms is consistent with Taiwan's consistent position. The Ministry welcomes this and looks forward to the three parties making concrete contributions to regional peace, stability, and the protection of marine ecosystems. The Ministry also emphasized that Taiwan's sovereign rights over its territory and relevant waters are not subject to interference by China, and strictly refuted the claim by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the scope of future Japan-Philippines negotiations covers Taiwan's waters. The Ministry reiterated that Taiwan has always handled maritime disputes in the spirit of 'shelving disputes and peaceful development.' On this basis, it expressed its readiness to further discuss the sharing of maritime resources, the maintenance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, and the promotion of sustainable development of marine ecosystems, based on the fishery agreements already signed with the Philippines and Japan respectively.
FACT BOX
- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: politics