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Jiang hints at further Philippines sanctions
By Ann Yu ,The China Post
May 17, 2013, 12:12 am TWN    Amid intense public anger over the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman, the government has introduced a second wave of retaliatory measures, including a halting of all technology, trade, fishery and agriculture exchanges, as well as discouraging travel to the Philippines. As the Philippine government appears unlikely to respond immediately to Taiwan's demands, the sanctions already implemented will remain in place, Jiang said. He asked that all ministries continue to support the government's decisions and prepare for sanctions to be in effect for a prolonged period. The measures have already received vocal support from Taipei Deputy Mayor Tim Ting (丁庭宇) and ministry chiefs, according to Cabinet spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文). “We have terminated joint Manila-Taipei ties, such as sister-city activities and dragon boat races,” Ting said. Ting suggested that Taiwan provide a timeline for the fishery negotiations between the two countries, as well as ensure the protection of Taiwanese fishermen. Sovereignty over the South China Sea is a complicated and highly sensitive political issue, the premier stressed. “Our nation in every way has a strong and justified standpoint. We will continue to fight for justice and the sovereign rights of our country,” he said. “We are facing a country that does things very differently from our country. This incident reflects the difficulties in communication that we have had with the Philippines for the past 10 years. “Our government hopes that this can be a turning point in resolving the communication problems between both countries.” At the meeting, Justice Minister Tseng Yung-fu (曾勇夫) said that a team of investigators and prosecutors have left for the Philippines to investigate the case. Tseng said that Taiwan is demanding compensation be paid for by the Philippine government and not just by the person or people directly responsible, as the incident was caused by a government body. The Cabinet launched retaliatory measures after the Philippines failed, in its eyes, to satisfactorily respond to President Ma Ying-jeou's three demands regarding an attack on a boat that led to the death of fisherman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成). The three demands include a formal apology, the punishment of those responsible and the opening of bilateral fishery agreement talks as soon as possible. There are currently 11 sanctions in place, including a freeze on all Filipino work applications, the recall of Taiwan's envoy in Manila and the expulsion of the Philippine envoy in Taipei. |
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