Taiwan and Japan established a bilateral fishing commission May 7 in Taipei City, with members exchanging views on fishing regulations in the East China Sea, according to the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The commission serves as an institutionalized negotiation mechanism for ongoing Taiwan-Japan cooperation on issues of mutual concern,” a MOFA official said. “It stems from the bilateral fishery agreement concluded April 10 on protecting fishing rights in overlapping territories near the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.”
Taiwan members of the commission include Chang Jen-joe, senior counselor with the Association of East Asian Relations; James Sha, director-general of the Fisheries Agency; officials from the ROC Coast Guard Administration and MOFA; and representatives from local fishermen’s associations.
Japanese members include Michihiko Komatsu, director-general of Tokyo-based Interchange Association’s General Affairs Department; Kenichi Okada, secretary-general of the IA’s Taipei Office; officials from Japan’s foreign ministry, coast guard and fisheries agencies; and representatives of an Okinawa fishing committee.
During the session, the two sides agreed to complete revising respective laws enabling the Taiwan-Japan fishery agreement to take effect May 10, and continue negotiations on fishing issues with commission meetings scheduled at least once a year.
Under the pact, fishermen from Taiwan and Japan can operate across an additional 4,530 square kilometers from 27 degrees north latitude to Japan’s Yaeyama Islands. Importantly, the agreement does not impinge upon ROC sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, nor does it apply to waters within 12 nautical miles of the islands.
Chang said the pact represents the spirit of President Ma Ying-jeou’s East China Sea peace initiative and, despite the government’s rock-solid stance on ROC sovereignty over the Diaoyutais, there is every possibility that natural resources in the region can be shared.
“Both sides view this pact as one of historic significance and a successful precedent for peaceful resolution of regional disputes.”
Proposed by Ma Aug. 5, 2012, 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.
The Diaoyutais are an uninhabited archipelago located roughly 102 nautical miles northeast of Taiwan proper. The tiny island group is historically attached to the ROC and includes Diaoyutai Island and four other islets.
