Foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou says that Taiwan has sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands and that the government is determined to safeguard its territory.
The Dioayutai Islands are in the East China Sea, and are claimed by Taiwan, China, and Japan. The islands are called the Senkaku Islands in Japanese.
Ou was speaking after two Chinese coastal patrol vessels armed with an autocannon entered disputed waters near the islands on Monday. Japan has said it will not rule out the use of weapons in response to the incursion. Under a newly-enacted Chinese law, its coast guard is authorized to use force against foreign vessels in regions China considers its own.
Ou urged all parties involved to exercise self-restraint and use peaceful and rational means to solve disputes. She said that Taiwan is closely watching the latest developments around the islands and will protect the rights of its fishermen.