Japan renews calls for dialogue between China, Taiwan
Japan has renewed its call for dialogue between China and Taiwan after Ma Ying-jeou's victory in Taiwan's presidential election Saturday.
By Agencies |
TOKYO: Japan has renewed its call for dialogue between China and Taiwan after Ma Ying-jeou's victory in Taiwan's presidential election Saturday.
In a statement released late Saturday, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura avoided evaluating the result, simply recognising his victory in the vote dominated by concern over the economy and hopes for better ties with China.
"Japan hopes that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully by direct dialogue between the parties concerned on the Taiwan Straits and that dialogue will resume soon for that purpose," Komura said.
The foreign minister insisted that Japan's diplomatic relations with China remain unchanged, saying: "It intends to maintain Japan-Taiwan relations as a working relationship on a non-governmental basis."
Ma, the candidate of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), has promised to work for closer ties with Beijing, which claims Taiwan for itself.
China and Taiwan split after a civil war in 1949 but China still regards the island as a part of its territory and in 2005 passed an anti-secession law that provided the legal framework for retaking Taiwan by force.
Tokyo switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972 and has since barred official contacts with Taiwan.
In a statement released late Saturday, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura avoided evaluating the result, simply recognising his victory in the vote dominated by concern over the economy and hopes for better ties with China.
"Japan hopes that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully by direct dialogue between the parties concerned on the Taiwan Straits and that dialogue will resume soon for that purpose," Komura said.
The foreign minister insisted that Japan's diplomatic relations with China remain unchanged, saying: "It intends to maintain Japan-Taiwan relations as a working relationship on a non-governmental basis."
Ma, the candidate of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), has promised to work for closer ties with Beijing, which claims Taiwan for itself.
China and Taiwan split after a civil war in 1949 but China still regards the island as a part of its territory and in 2005 passed an anti-secession law that provided the legal framework for retaking Taiwan by force.
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Tokyo switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1972 and has since barred official contacts with Taiwan.
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