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Published Date: 2015-05-28
The foreign ministry has lodged a protest with the Philippines over a fishing incident that happened earlier in the week.
On May 25, the Philippines Coast Guard intercepted a Taiwanese fishing vessel in an area where the two countries' exclusive economic zones overlap. Taiwan's Coast Guard arrived at the scene shortly after to protect the Taiwanese fishing boat. Taiwanese officials based in the Philippines negotiated with Philippine officials on the matter. The boat was released within four hours.
On Friday, Premier Mao Chi-kuo instructed the agriculture council to urge Taiwanese fishermen to abide by the law to avoid being detained by Philippine authorities. But Mao also said that according to the consensus formed during bilateral fishery negotiations, the Philippine authorities should give Taiwanese boats a one hour warning before boarding them. Mao also instructed the foreign ministry to lodge a complaint with the Philippines.
Premier Mao said he hopes that Taiwan and the Philippines will sign an agreement on maritime law enforcement cooperation soon. The two countries have been negotiating the pact since late 2013.