Japan-Philippines EEZ Talks: Lin Chia-lung Says No Harm to Taiwan's Interests, Contributes to Regional Peace

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 4, reporter Yang Yaoru) Japan and the Philippines will initiate negotiations on their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and continental shelf maritime boundaries. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated today that the launch of EEZ negotiations between Japan and the Philippines contributes to regional peace and stability, that this move is directed at China, has no binding force on Taiwan under international law, and that Taiwan's national interests will not be harmed. He added that a minority of people are distorting the issue and shifting focus, which only benefits China.

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), also known as an economic sea zone, is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea, extending no more than 200 nautical miles (approximately 370.4 kilometers) from the baselines used to measure the territorial sea. Within the EEZ, coastal states enjoy freedoms of navigation and overflight, the freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines, and other lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms.

Coastal states have sovereign rights within the EEZ for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, as well as sovereign rights for other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds.

Source: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Lin Chia-lung responded that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes Japan and the Philippines establishing a comprehensive strategic defense relationship. He stated that Taiwan has signed fishery-related agreements with both Japan and the Philippines, and both countries have clearly stated that the EEZ negotiations will not be binding on Taiwan, including under international law.

Lin Chia-lung emphasized that this move by Japan and the Philippines is directed at China. China's military expansion has reached the Pacific Ocean and eastern Taiwan, with Chinese military aircraft and vessels operating near the Diaoyutai Islands (Senkaku Islands) and the Batanes Islands. China is disrupting the status quo, and neighboring countries need to increase cooperation, just as Taiwan needs to enhance cooperation with Japan and the Philippines. This all contributes to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the first island chain.

Lin Chia-lung further pointed out that China's protest against Japan and the Philippines is putting the cart before the horse. China has no right to represent Taiwan and should not overstep its bounds. China is attempting to disrupt peace in the Taiwan Strait and the region, especially as Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan all face China's military expansion. It is China that is creating the problems, so we must jointly prevent China's continued expansion.

Lin Chia-lung stated that Taiwan's national position is clear: the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and will defend its rights, including its EEZ. He added that Japan and the Philippines have not only made public statements but have also communicated with Taiwan through diplomatic channels to ensure that Taiwan's national interests are not harmed.

Lin Chia-lung concluded by explaining that Japan and the Philippines have overlapping EEZs, hence the need for negotiations, but there is no expansion or addition of scope. He assured the public that Taiwan will definitely protect its sovereignty. As for the minority who distort the issue and shift focus, this plays right into China's hands and benefits China, and he believes the public supports the government's position. (Editor: Wan Shuchang) 1150604