Wang Chung-yi, deputy minister of the CGA, said 12 coast guard vessels were dispatched to protect the fishing boat Kan En No. 99, which set sail from the Yehliu fishing port Monday afternoon. A pair of activists aboard planned to head to waters near the Diaoyutais as a demonstration of Taiwanese fishermen’s right to fish in the area.
According to the CGA, the fishing boat encountered 7 Japan Coast Guard vessels that physically obstructed its further progress some 23 nautical miles (42.6 kilometers) southwest of the island group at 1:47 a.m. Sept. 14.
Wang said at that time, six of the CGA vessels immediately surrounded the fishing boat to prevent the Japanese patrol boats from moving to ram it (Note: why would the Japanese boat ram the Taiwanese boat? This is an underhand statement from the CGA which neatly chimes with the Chinese argument that their fishing vessel was rammed when in fact it appears that it was the other way around), while five of the vessels trailed behind and one remained at a distance to monitor the situation.
The Japanese coast guard forces shone spotlights and broadcast warnings over loudspeakers telling the fishing boat to stay out of the area (no attempt to ram anyone then? The CGA's fears were based on what?). The CGA responded in kind with spotlights and the message: “The Diaoyutais are part of the Republic of China’s territorial waters. Please do not interfere with ROC citizens’ fishing activities. The coast guard has a duty to protect them.”
During the standoff, the closest the CGA vessels came to the Diaoyutais was within 18.5 nautical miles of the archipelago, at about 4:50 a.m. At that point, the Kan En No. 99 cut its engines and remained in the area for over two hours, according to Wang.
At 6:52 a.m., the fishing vessel restarted its engines, drawing the attention of the Japanese patrol boats. It proceeded to turn around and head back to Taiwan, with the Japanese vessels deciding not to pursue (why would they? they were there to prevent the Taiwanese boats from executing their theatrics), and the CGA boats escorted it back to Yehliu port.
Wang stressed that the CGA has a responsibility to protect ROC fishermen and that it was not taking part in the activists’ protest activity (so now they'll have to muster 12 boats everytime one Taiwanese boat decides to catch fish in Japan's EEZ?). He added that the CGA’s action was essentially “a public proclamation of the country’s sovereignty.” (18.5 nautical miles away from the location they claim but don't practice sovereignty over?)
The dispatching of 12 vessels on a mission to waters off the Diaoyutais represented a new record high for the CGA. (And a new record level of embarrassing and needless confrontation with Japan essentially to please the PRC. Good job we have an independent foreign policy ... oh .. wait .. maybe not then)
In response to the incident, Presidential Office spokesman Lo Chih-chiang stated that the Diaoyutais are an integral part of the ROC’s territory. He pointed out this has always been the government’s stance and that it will never change.Love that last comment. It .. will ... never ... change. Until they get thrown from office in 2012 (with any luck). What is it about Chinese politicians and administrations that they are so determined to set the past and future in stone. Talk about boxing yourself into a corner.
Check this short but sweet post on the issue - pure joy ...
