Taiwan has deployed a naval frigate to waters near the Okinotori atoll for support purposes only. That’s according to Premier Chang San-cheng on Friday.
Japanese authorities seized a Taiwanese fishing boat two weeks ago off the unmanned atoll, demanding a security deposit for the crew’s release. The move has prompted renewed dispute over Japan’s maritime jurisdiction in the area, which Taiwan views as international waters.
In response to the incident, Taiwan has dispatched one La Fayette-class frigate in addition to other patrol boats to protect Taiwanese fishing boats in the area. Some lawmakers from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have criticized the move. They have said that sending a frigate amounts as declare of war against Japan and the US.
Premiere Chang San-cheng responded to criticism Friday saying that the DPP should clearly define President-elect Tsai Ing-wen’s term “all-out defense” if they disagree with the current government’s measures.
“I think we need to ask President-elect [and DPP chairwoman] Tsai Ing-wen about her notion of ‘all-out defense’. How does she define the term? Does it include contingency plans? Of course it does," said Chang.
"How can you not prepare for unexpected situations? For those DPP lawmakers who don’t think our measures are appropriate, I’d like to ask them to go and ask Tsai to give her definition. It’s more important to clarify this.”
Chang said he hopes the dispute can be resolved before the incoming administration takes office on May 20.