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KMT Slams 'Subservient Diplomacy' as Japan, Philippines Negotiate Over Taiwan's Waters

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party criticized the government for its passive stance on maritime rights negotiations between Japan and the Philippines.
  • The KMT demanded immediate inter-agency meetings and the establishment of a dialogue mechanism with Japan and the Philippines to protect Taiwan's overlapping maritime interests.
  • The party accused Foreign Minister Joseph Wu of misjudging the situation and urged him to resign if unable to defend Taiwanese fishermen's rights.

Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party on Thursday lambasted the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government for its perceived inaction regarding maritime boundary negotiations between Japan and the Philippines. The KMT argued that these negotiations, which overlap significantly with Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), are being conducted without Taiwan's involvement, potentially undermining its sovereign rights and fishing interests.

Are you representing the Republic of China's Foreign Minister to safeguard Taiwan's rights, or are you a spokesperson for Japan and the Philippines' EEZ in Taiwan?

— Lin Pei-hsiangKMT legislative whip Lin Pei-hsiang questioned Foreign Minister Joseph Wu's role and effectiveness in protecting Taiwan's maritime interests during a press conference.

During a press conference, KMT legislators accused Foreign Minister Joseph Wu of misjudging the situation and failing to grasp the implications of the Japan-Philippines agreement. "Are you representing the Republic of China's Foreign Minister to safeguard Taiwan's rights, or are you a spokesperson for Japan and the Philippines' EEZ in Taiwan?" asked KMT legislative whip Lin Pei-hsiang, demanding to know if the ministry was aware of the actual negotiation status.

The KMT proposed three immediate actions: convening an inter-agency task force to assess risks in the eastern waters, establishing a trilateral dialogue mechanism with Japan and the Philippines on maritime rights, and implementing a "fishery protection project" by the Coast Guard Administration. This project would ensure government support, including legal and diplomatic assistance, for fishermen whose operations might be restricted due to the negotiations.

Jellyfish diplomacy the DPP has become sea cucumber skin on the dining table. If you are not at the table, you will appear on the menu.

— Lo Chih-chiangKMT legislator Lo Chih-chiang criticized the DPP government's approach to foreign policy and maritime rights negotiations.

KMT legislator Lo Chih-chiang sarcastically remarked that the DPP's "jellyfish diplomacy" had turned them into "sea cucumber skin on the dining table." He warned that if Taiwan is not at the table, it will end up on the menu. The party stressed that sovereignty cannot be compromised and fishing rights are not a diplomatic sacrifice, urging Wu to step down if he cannot protect the rights of Taiwanese fishermen.

Sovereignty is not to be compromised, and fishing rights are not a diplomatic sacrifice. If you cannot defend the rights of Taiwanese fishermen, please know when to step down.

— Hsu Yu-chenKMT legislative deputy whip Hsu Yu-chen urged Foreign Minister Joseph Wu to resign if he cannot protect Taiwanese fishermen's interests.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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