President Ma Ying-jeou says Taiwan will not allow Japan to continue its illegal occupation of international waters surrounding the Okinotori atoll. The president was speaking Friday while visiting Guishan Island off Taiwan’s northeast coast.
The president was referring to the recent controversy over Japan’s seizure of a Taiwanese fishing boat and its crew operating near the atoll in late April.
Ma said the subsequent dispatch of coast guard vessels to escort fishermen in disputed waters has been effective.
“The [fishermen] expressed their appreciation to me," said Ma.
"We proved to the public that this fishing ground in international waters will help Taiwan’s fishing industry. We should not give up the [fishing ground] and nor should we allow the country that illegally occupies international waters to continue its unlawful practice.”
The president called on Japan to hold talks with Taiwan over fishing disputes as soon as possible.