Taipei Times
Date: Mar 07, 2018
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

The seventh meeting of a Taiwan-Japan fishing commission will take place as planned, despite Tokyo’s inappropriate chasing of a Taiwanese fishing boat over the weekend, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association said yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference in Taipei, association Secretary-General Chang Shu-ling (張淑玲) said the incident would not impede the commission’s annual meeting, which is expected to take place in Taipei.

“We do not think the case would impact the upcoming meeting. Both sides will continue to try to peacefully settle our disputes and protect our fishermen’s rights through sincere negotiations,” Chang said.

Asked whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ strong protest over the incident was an attempt to open negotiations on sea areas yet to be covered by the 2013 Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement, Chang did not respond directly, saying only that the date and agenda for the meeting were still being planned.    [FULL  STORY]