Premier Lin Chuan was low key on Tuesday when asked to comment on the latest clash between Japan and China over the Diaoyutai islands. The islands in the East China Sea are administered by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan.
Opposition Kuomintang legislator Huang Chao-shun asked why the government issued no statement after a Chinese warship approached the islands earlier this month. Tokyo summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident and has warned of repercussions. In the past it has been customary for Taiwan to reiterate its sovereignty claim to the islands following such incidents. This did not happen on this occasion, and the new envoy to Japan, Frank Hsieh, likewise declined to comment.
Premier Lin said the government would restate its position on the islands at “an appropriate” time. He said, "According to the national position, we believe we have sovereignty over the Diaoyutai. I think we will look for an appropriate occasion to put across our stance on the sovereignty of the Diaoyutai."
The islands are known as Senkaku to Japan and Diaoyu to China.