Japan and Philippines Launch EEZ Talks; Taiwan Representative Li Yi-yang Meets Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman to State Position
Following the launch of negotiations between Japan and the Philippines on the delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and continental shelves, Taiwan's Representative to Japan, Li Yi-yang, met with Yasuaki Tanizaki, Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, on June 3 to state Taiwan's position. Li emphasized that any negotiations involving overlapping waters must not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights and interests, and refuted China's manipulation of the 'One China Principle.'
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 21:49
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 3rd, Special Correspondent Dai Yazhen) Japan and the Philippines recently agreed to launch negotiations on the delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and continental shelves. As the relevant waters highly overlap with Taiwan's exclusive economic zone, Taiwan's Representative to Japan, Li Yi-yang, met today with Yasuaki Tanizaki, Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Japan's window for relations with Taiwan, to state Taiwan's position. He emphasized that any negotiations involving overlapping waters must not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights and interests.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan stated in the evening that during the meeting, Li Yi-yang pointed out that Taiwan is a sovereign state and possesses an exclusive economic zone. The scope of the waters planned for negotiation by Japan and the Philippines this time highly overlaps with Taiwan's exclusive economic zone. The Taiwanese side also noted that Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi recently stated in a press conference that the Japan-Philippines maritime boundary delimitation aims to regulate the contracting parties and will not produce legal effects on third parties.
He further stated that Taiwan also enjoys sovereign rights in the relevant overlapping exclusive economic zone. He hopes that the Japanese side will duly consider Taiwan's rights and interests during the negotiation process, must not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights or interests, and should consult with Taiwan to incorporate Taiwan's claims.
Regarding China's unilateral assertion that the future scope of Japan-Philippines negotiations covers Taiwan's waters and that China possesses relevant sovereign rights, Li Yi-yang sternly refuted this, criticizing Beijing for once again manipulating the 'One China Principle.'
He emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state, not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. China has no sovereign legitimacy over Taiwan, and China has no say in the sovereign rights of Taiwan's territory and related waters. China has no right to speak on behalf of Taiwan.
In response, Yasuaki Tanizaki stated that he fully understands Taiwan's demands and will convey the relevant position to the Japanese government. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150603
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan stated in the evening that during the meeting, Li Yi-yang pointed out that Taiwan is a sovereign state and possesses an exclusive economic zone. The scope of the waters planned for negotiation by Japan and the Philippines this time highly overlaps with Taiwan's exclusive economic zone. The Taiwanese side also noted that Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi recently stated in a press conference that the Japan-Philippines maritime boundary delimitation aims to regulate the contracting parties and will not produce legal effects on third parties.
He further stated that Taiwan also enjoys sovereign rights in the relevant overlapping exclusive economic zone. He hopes that the Japanese side will duly consider Taiwan's rights and interests during the negotiation process, must not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights or interests, and should consult with Taiwan to incorporate Taiwan's claims.
Regarding China's unilateral assertion that the future scope of Japan-Philippines negotiations covers Taiwan's waters and that China possesses relevant sovereign rights, Li Yi-yang sternly refuted this, criticizing Beijing for once again manipulating the 'One China Principle.'
He emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state, not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. China has no sovereign legitimacy over Taiwan, and China has no say in the sovereign rights of Taiwan's territory and related waters. China has no right to speak on behalf of Taiwan.
In response, Yasuaki Tanizaki stated that he fully understands Taiwan's demands and will convey the relevant position to the Japanese government. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150603