Taiwan makes presence felt in disputed islands row

By WALLY SANTANA
Published on 08/09/2012 00:00

Taiwan’s president used a high-profile visit to a Taiwanese islet yesterday to warn Japan against making any attempts to nationalise islands that are part of a disputed chain in the East China Sea.

Escorted by warplanes and naval vessels, president Ma Ying-jeou flew by military helicopter to Taiwan’s Pengchia Islet, which lies off northern Taiwan, about 85 miles west of the disputed chain.

The chain – known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China – is controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan, and has been a key part of simmering regional tensions over rival territorial claims.
Japan’s government reportedly is planning to buy several of the islands from their private Japanese owners.

Analysts say Mr Ma chose the Taiwanese islet to make his well-measured gesture to raise international attention without further aggravating tensions.