The Foreign Ministry says that China is maliciously manipulating its one-China principle to confuse the international community and that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other. That came on Wednesday, June 3, in response to China’s Foreign Ministry claim to represent both sides of the strait, which followed an announcement from Japan and the Philippines that they would begin negotiations on exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and maritime boundaries.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that China has no right to interfere in Taiwan’s policies and positions regarding the Japan-Philippines negotiations on the delimitation of exclusive economic zones, nor does it have the right to speak on Taiwan’s behalf. It emphasized that Taiwan has always firmly safeguarded its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The Foreign Ministry said that it has instructed representative offices in Japan and the Philippines to confirm with the respective governments that the future negotiations and their outcomes will not affect Taiwan’s sovereign rights under international law, the law of the sea, and existing agreements between Taiwan and the two countries.

The area included in the Japan-Philippines negotiations overlaps with Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone off its eastern coast. The Foreign Ministry urged Japan and the Philippines to take this fact into account, consider Taiwan’s interests, and consult with Taiwan on relevant issues.