Taiwan’s coast guard is dispatching two patrol vessels to escort Taiwanese fishing boats in disputed waters around Okinotori atoll. That’s word from Coast Guard Minister Wang Chung-yi.
A Japanese patrol boat seized the Taiwanese fishing vessel “Tung Sheng Chi 16” last Monday in the disputed area. Japanese authorities asked for a security deposit for the crew’s return. Wang said Friday that the escort mission will begin May 1st.
“The mission will be long. It will last between 20 and 30 days. We do not recognize Japan’s claim of sovereignty over the waters surrounding the Okinotori atoll. We will patrol outside Japan’s territorial waters. We have plans for any action Japanese patrol vessels might take. We must not show any weakness," said Wang.
Meanwhile, Premier Chang San-cheng says that Japan has treated Taiwan unfairly. He said that after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan agreed to place labels on food exports bound for South Korea showing where in Japan the products were made. However, Chang said, Japan did no label food products destined for Taiwan.
Chang said that Taiwanese people have shown warmth to Japan, donated more than any other country after Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami. He said he hopes Japan will appreciate Taiwan’s friendship and not mistreat Taiwan.