The Presidential Office and the foreign ministry have reiterated Taiwan’s sovereignty over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands. The islands are known as the Senkakus in Japan.
Both issued statements Friday after former President Lee Teng-hui said that the islands belong to Japan and are not part of Taiwan’s territory. Lee made the remark during a visit to Japan, which also lays claim to the islands.
Presidential Office spokesperson Charles Chen called Lee’s statement unacceptable to the government and people of Taiwan. Chen said that the Diaoyutai Islands have been politically part of Taiwan since 1683.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry said in a press release that Taiwan’s sovereignty over the islands stems from geography, geology, history, international law, and use of resources.
The press release urged all sides in the dispute to adhere to President Ma Ying-jeou’s East China Sea Peace Initiative by shelving disputes and working to jointly develop resources around the islands.