MOFA protests Diaoyutai claim in Japan textbook

2015-04-09

The Diaoyutai Islands are an integral part of the ROC and any attempt to lay claim to the archipelago and infringe upon the nation’s sovereignty is futile, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs April 7.

“It is an indisputable fact that from the perspective of geography, geology, history, international law and practical use, the Diaoyutais are an appendage island group of Taiwan,” MOFA spokeswoman Anna Kao said.

The ministry’s response follows a revision the day before to government-approved Japanese high school textbooks describing the Diaoyutais as belonging to Japan.

According to Kao, the MOFA will voice a stern protest to Japan through diplomatic channels and restate the ROC’s position. “Government policy on such matters is based on ROC sovereignty, shelving disagreements, fostering peace and reciprocity and promoting joint exploration of natural resources, an approach in line with the East China Sea Peace Initiative” she said.

Proposed Aug. 5, 2012, by President Ma Ying-jeou, the five-point initiative urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis.

As part of this undertaking, the president proposed in February 2014 the establishment of a code of conduct in the East China Sea covering aviation and maritime activities, as well as a regional multilateral negotiation mechanism, to transform the waters into a sea of peace and cooperation.

Located roughly 102 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan proper, the Diaoyutais are an uninhabited archipelago historically attached to the nation.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=229036&CtNode=413)