Taiwan has urged Japan and the Philippines to consider its maritime rights and interests as they embark on discussions about their maritime boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). This appeal follows an announcement from the two countries indicating plans to negotiate maritime boundaries and continental shelf claims in line with international law. There has been concern among experts as some of the proposed areas are said to overlap with regions claimed by Taiwan.
According to Taiwanese officials, both Japan and the Philippines have assured Taipei that any resulting agreement will not be legally binding on third parties and will adhere to established international legal principles. Taiwan’s government remains committed to ongoing dialogue with both nations to protect its maritime interests, including vital fishing rights and resource access in the contested waters. They also highlighted that existing agreements between Taiwan and both Japan and the Philippines will continue to stand.
This development comes amidst broader regional tensions, especially following China’s assertion of claims over waters to Taiwan’s east, accompanied by coast guard patrols in those areas. Taiwan has openly rejected China’s claims, reinforcing its stance on sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.
Philippine officials have clarified that formal negotiations with Japan have not yet commenced, emphasizing that it is premature to speculate on how any future agreements might affect fishing rights or territorial claims. They reiterated that the discussions remain in the early stages and stressed the importance of addressing these complex issues carefully.