Taiwan's Foreign Ministry Condemns China's Malicious Manipulation of 'One-China Principle' Over Japan-Philippines EEZ Talks
Following the announcement of Japan and the Philippines to begin negotiations on their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf boundaries, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on June 3 strongly refuted China's invocation of the 'One-China principle.' MOFA emphasized that the two sides of the strait are not subordinate to each other and that China has no right to interfere or speak on Taiwan's behalf.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 18:24
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(CNA, Taipei, June 3) As Japan and the Philippines prepare to launch negotiations on their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf maritime boundaries, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) refuted this today, stating that China is maliciously manipulating the 'One-China Principle' to confuse the international community. MOFA emphasized that the two sides are not subordinate to each other and that China has no right to interfere, let alone speak on Taiwan's behalf.
Japan and the Philippines announced on May 28 that they would begin negotiations on their EEZ and continental shelf boundaries, raising concerns about potential infringement on Taiwan's rights. MOFA reaffirmed Taiwan's sovereign rights on June 2. On the same day, at a regular press conference, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs again stated that the two sides of the strait belong to one China and that the actions of Japan and the Philippines have infringed upon China's maritime rights and interests.
In response, MOFA issued a press release reiterating that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. China has no right to interfere in Taiwan's policies and positions regarding the Japan-Philippines EEZ delimitation negotiations, nor does it have the right to speak on Taiwan's behalf.
MOFA emphasized that Taiwan has always firmly defended its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. It refuted China's malicious manipulation of the 'One-China Principle' in this case, which it said confuses the international community and attempts to create a false impression that China has sovereignty over Taiwan and jurisdiction over Taiwan's related waters. MOFA also stated that it will not allow China to attempt to undermine regional peace and stability through actions such as maritime law enforcement and military force projection.
MOFA explained that it has instructed its representative offices in Japan and the Philippines to confirm with both governments that the process and results of future negotiations will not affect Taiwan's sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea, nor will they affect the implementation of existing mechanisms such as the 'Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement' and the 'Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement.'
MOFA mentioned that Taiwan has once again clearly stated to Japan and the Philippines that the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) over its territory and related waters, as well as its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea, are indisputable. Given that the area where Japan and the Philippines plan to negotiate boundaries highly overlaps with Taiwan's EEZ off its eastern coast, Taiwan once again calls on Japan and the Philippines to consider this fact, fully take Taiwan's rights into account, and consult with Taiwan on related issues.
MOFA pointed out that it will continue to closely monitor developments and maintain communication with Japan and the Philippines to ensure that maritime rights and the rights of fishermen are fully protected. (Editor: Lin Kelun, Wan Shuzhang) 1150603
Japan and the Philippines announced on May 28 that they would begin negotiations on their EEZ and continental shelf boundaries, raising concerns about potential infringement on Taiwan's rights. MOFA reaffirmed Taiwan's sovereign rights on June 2. On the same day, at a regular press conference, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs again stated that the two sides of the strait belong to one China and that the actions of Japan and the Philippines have infringed upon China's maritime rights and interests.
In response, MOFA issued a press release reiterating that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. China has no right to interfere in Taiwan's policies and positions regarding the Japan-Philippines EEZ delimitation negotiations, nor does it have the right to speak on Taiwan's behalf.
MOFA emphasized that Taiwan has always firmly defended its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. It refuted China's malicious manipulation of the 'One-China Principle' in this case, which it said confuses the international community and attempts to create a false impression that China has sovereignty over Taiwan and jurisdiction over Taiwan's related waters. MOFA also stated that it will not allow China to attempt to undermine regional peace and stability through actions such as maritime law enforcement and military force projection.
MOFA explained that it has instructed its representative offices in Japan and the Philippines to confirm with both governments that the process and results of future negotiations will not affect Taiwan's sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea, nor will they affect the implementation of existing mechanisms such as the 'Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement' and the 'Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement.'
MOFA mentioned that Taiwan has once again clearly stated to Japan and the Philippines that the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) over its territory and related waters, as well as its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea, are indisputable. Given that the area where Japan and the Philippines plan to negotiate boundaries highly overlaps with Taiwan's EEZ off its eastern coast, Taiwan once again calls on Japan and the Philippines to consider this fact, fully take Taiwan's rights into account, and consult with Taiwan on related issues.
MOFA pointed out that it will continue to closely monitor developments and maintain communication with Japan and the Philippines to ensure that maritime rights and the rights of fishermen are fully protected. (Editor: Lin Kelun, Wan Shuzhang) 1150603