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Taiwan-Japan fishing commission to deal with Diaoyutais issue

ROC Central News Agency

2013/05/02 13:15:35

Taipei, May 2 (CNA) Taiwan will continue to negotiate with Japan on fishing rights in disputed waters in the East China Sea through a new bilateral fishing commission, Taiwan's representative to Japan Shen Ssu-tsun said Thursday.

The commission will serve as platform for the two sides to negotiate on remaining issues concerning fishing rights in waters surrounding the Diaoyutai Islands, Shen said at a hearing of the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee to report on the development of bilateral ties.

Shen's remarks came after Taiwan and Japan signed a historic pact April 10 on fishing rights in their overlapping territories in the East China Sea, mainly around the Diaoyutais, known in Japan as the Senkakus. The establishment of the bilateral commission was part of the agreement.

Issues not included in the agreement, such as fishing rights in waters within 12 nautical miles of the Diaoyutais, "will be addressed by the commission," he said.

According to the agreement, the commission will also deal with other issues related to fishing in disputed waters. It will meet annually, with additional meetings convened if necessary. The commission comprises four members -- two from Taiwan and two from Japan.

Shen also took the opportunity at the hearing to reiterate Taiwan's sovereignty over the island group.

The commission's first preparatory meeting began the previous day and was set to conclude later in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The signing of the pact came after on-and-off negotiations on the issue that lasted for nearly 17 years.

Under the terms of the agreement, Taiwanese and Japanese boats can operate freely in a 74,300-square-kilometer area around the Diaoyutais.

This gives Taiwanese fishermen an additional 4,530 square kilometers in which they can operate free from harassment by the Japanese authorities.

The Diaoyutais, some 100 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan, have been under Japan's administrative control since 1972 but are also claimed by Taiwan and China.

The surrounding waters have long been traditional fishing grounds for Taiwanese fishermen, but they are routinely chased away from the area by the Japanese authorities when they venture too close to what Japan sees as its territorial waters.

Meanwhile, amid criticism of his Japanese language abilities, Shen said he is seizing every opportunity to improve his Japanese.

(By Elaine Hou)