Taiwanese politician slams Japan-Philippines maritime deal, demands government join talks

Wu Tsung-hsien, a candidate for Yilan County Magistrate from Taiwan's Kuomintang party, has strongly protested a joint statement by Japan and the Philippines to initiate negotiations on demarcating their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves. Wu contends that the proposed maritime boundary demarcation overlaps significantly with Taiwan's claimed maritime rights.

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This maritime area highly overlaps with the scope of the Republic of China's claimed maritime rights, and it cannot be arbitrarily divided by other countries.

Wu stated that according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, exclusive economic zones extend 200 nautical miles from the coast, granting nations rights to resources within this area. He expressed concern that if Japan and the Philippines proceed with their proposed demarcation, Taiwan's eastern exclusive economic zone would be entirely divided. This situation, he argues, would leave Taiwanese fishermen vulnerable to inspections, seizures, and heavy fines from the Japanese Coast Guard or the Philippine Coast Guard.

As Yilan is a major fishing county in Taiwan, its eastern waters are a crucial fishing ground for high-value species like bluefin tuna and swordfish, forming the livelihood of many fishermen. Wu Tsung-hsien is worried that Taiwan's exclusion from such significant negotiations, without a concrete government response, could lead to the sacrifice of its fishermen's interests.

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In such a major negotiation, our country is excluded. The government has no concrete response plan so far. Are we going to let fishermen be slaughtered?

Wu emphasized that Taiwan's maritime rights must be defended by its government, not interfered with by Chinese naval patrols. He urged the Coast Guard and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect fishing rights. He reiterated that Japan and the Philippines have no right to unilaterally divide Taiwan's economic waters and called for Taiwan's government to participate in the negotiations to safeguard its maritime rights, fishing resources, seabed mineral rights, and submarine cable deployment rights, ensuring that the interests of Yilan fishermen are not compromised.

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The Republic of China's maritime rights must be defended and safeguarded by our government. We oppose China sending warships to patrol and interfere.