MOFA reiterates its stance over Japan's arrest of Diaoyutai activists from Hong Kong:
1. As an island group that belongs to Taiwan, the Diaoyutai Islands are an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan) that fall under the administrative jurisdiction of Daxi Village in Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. Whether looked at from the perspective of history, geography, geology, practical use or international law, the Diaoyutais are indisputably an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan). No unilateral claims or actions will change this fact.
2. MOFA calls on Japan to recognize both the existence of the Diaoyutai dispute and the ROC's claim of sovereignty over the islands. Japan should consider taking a practical and effective approach to dealing with this issue, and should neither disregard the facts nor ignore the ROC's claim.
3. President Ma has proposed an East China Sea Peace Initiative and calls on all parties concerned to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner. The UN Charter stipulates the "peaceful settlement of disputes", including through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. All parties concerned should seek a peaceful resolution to sovereignty disputes in the East China Sea. The Republic of China (Taiwan) hopes that all parties concerned will refrain from taking any antagonistic actions and from making any populist moves that may undermine regional stability.
4. Taiwan and Japan enjoy a special partnership characterized by close economic and people-to-people exchanges. However, there are a number of issues that the two countries have yet to resolve, such as the Diaoyutais and fishing rights. Taiwan's position that it will not side with mainland China over the Diaoyutai dispute remains unchanged, and the ROC government will continue to promote the East China Sea Peace Initiative based on a spirit of peace.
