China Coast Guard Advances East of Taiwan; MAC Says No Need for Beijing to Act on Taiwan's Behalf

(Central News Agency, reporter Li Yawen, Taipei, June 3) In response to Japan and the Philippines launching negotiations on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf maritime boundaries, Beijing has called for cross-strait efforts to "jointly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) emphasized today that Taiwan will continue to consult with Japan and the Philippines on maritime issues and has no need for the Chinese Communist Party to act on its behalf. The MAC stated on June 3 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already explained the matter on June 2 and has instructed relevant overseas offices to request details from the host governments regarding the "maritime delimitation" mentioned in the statement, demanding that Japan and the Philippines should not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights and interests. The MAC noted that Taiwan has signed the "Taiwan-Japan Fishery Agreement" and the "Taiwan-Philippines Agreement on Cooperation in Law Enforcement for Fishery Matters" with Japan and the Philippines respectively, and will continue to negotiate maritime issues to protect fishermen's rights, reiterating that there is "no need for the Chinese Communist Party to act on its behalf." Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Chinese State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a regular press conference on the morning of June 3 that regarding the announcement of delimitation negotiations east of Taiwan by Japan and the Philippines, both sides of the strait "should stand on a national position, uphold national righteousness, jointly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the overall interests of the Chinese nation." Japan and the Philippines issued a joint statement after their summit on May 28, announcing the start of negotiations on EEZ and continental shelf maritime boundaries. Beijing expressed dissatisfaction, asserting its claim to the EEZ and continental shelf in the waters east of Taiwan. The China Coast Guard subsequently announced that the Daishan Island fleet had launched a "law enforcement patrol" in the waters east of Taiwan. (Editor: Yang Shengru) 1150603