Japan, Philippines to Start EEZ Talks; Taiwan Representative Reasserts Sovereignty in Letter
As Japan and the Philippines prepare to launch negotiations on their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf boundaries, Taiwan's Representative to the Philippines, Chou Min-gan, has sent a letter to the Philippine side reiterating the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s sovereignty over its territory and related maritime areas. He stated that the negotiations should not harm Taiwan's maritime rights or affect existing mechanisms like the Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed its overseas missions to clarify its stance to both countries. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs responded that the talks have not yet begun and it is premature to discuss impacts on fishing rights.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 15:30
- 🔍 Collected: June 4, 2026 at 15:44 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 15:57 (48h 13m after Collected)
Japan and the Philippines will initiate negotiations on their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf maritime boundaries. Taiwan's Representative to the Philippines, Chou Min-gan, has sent a letter to the Philippine side, reiterating the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s sovereignty over its territory and related maritime areas, and stating that the relevant consultations should not harm Taiwan's maritime rights and interests, nor should they affect the implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms such as the "Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement."
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Japan last week and issued a joint statement with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on May 28, which included the announcement of the two countries' decision to initiate formal consultations on the delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf boundaries.
As the maritime area subject to the Japan-Philippines negotiations highly overlaps with Taiwan's exclusive economic zone, there is external concern about whether the Philippines-Japan consultations could affect Taiwan's rights and interests and the operational space of Taiwanese fishermen.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) recently stated that it has instructed relevant overseas missions to ask the host countries to explain the details of the maritime delimitation, and requested that both countries should not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights and interests, and should consult with Taiwan.
Chou Min-gan told CNA today that he has sent a letter to the Philippine Representative to Taiwan, Corazon A. Padiernos, reiterating the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s sovereignty over its territory and related maritime areas, and that its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea are unquestionable. He stated that the relevant Japan-Philippines consultations should not harm Taiwan's maritime rights and interests, nor should they affect the implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms such as the "Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement."
Separately, CNA today posed questions to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), asking whether Taiwan, which also claims EEZ rights in the relevant waters, would be consulted by the Philippines and Japan during the negotiation process, and whether the Philippines-Japan maritime delimitation could affect the fishing rights of Taiwanese fishermen in the relevant waters.
Rogelio Villanueva Jr., spokesperson for maritime affairs at the DFA, replied that the relevant consultations have not yet begun, and it is premature at this stage to assume that the fishing rights of any party will be affected. Regarding whether Taiwan will participate or be consulted, Villanueva only responded: "On the issue of the Philippines-Japan maritime delimitation, the content of the joint statement shall prevail."
Currently, the Philippines and Japan have not announced a specific timeline for the start of the consultations.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Japan last week and issued a joint statement with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on May 28, which included the announcement of the two countries' decision to initiate formal consultations on the delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf boundaries.
As the maritime area subject to the Japan-Philippines negotiations highly overlaps with Taiwan's exclusive economic zone, there is external concern about whether the Philippines-Japan consultations could affect Taiwan's rights and interests and the operational space of Taiwanese fishermen.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) recently stated that it has instructed relevant overseas missions to ask the host countries to explain the details of the maritime delimitation, and requested that both countries should not exclude or harm Taiwan's rights and interests, and should consult with Taiwan.
Chou Min-gan told CNA today that he has sent a letter to the Philippine Representative to Taiwan, Corazon A. Padiernos, reiterating the Republic of China (Taiwan)'s sovereignty over its territory and related maritime areas, and that its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea are unquestionable. He stated that the relevant Japan-Philippines consultations should not harm Taiwan's maritime rights and interests, nor should they affect the implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms such as the "Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement."
Separately, CNA today posed questions to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), asking whether Taiwan, which also claims EEZ rights in the relevant waters, would be consulted by the Philippines and Japan during the negotiation process, and whether the Philippines-Japan maritime delimitation could affect the fishing rights of Taiwanese fishermen in the relevant waters.
Rogelio Villanueva Jr., spokesperson for maritime affairs at the DFA, replied that the relevant consultations have not yet begun, and it is premature at this stage to assume that the fishing rights of any party will be affected. Regarding whether Taiwan will participate or be consulted, Villanueva only responded: "On the issue of the Philippines-Japan maritime delimitation, the content of the joint statement shall prevail."
Currently, the Philippines and Japan have not announced a specific timeline for the start of the consultations.