The Japan Times reported the other day on another incident between the Japanese Coast Guard and a Taiwanese vessel, this time a research ship from NTU....A maritime research ship of National Taiwan University intruded into Japan's territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku islets in the Each China Sea early Friday, ignoring a warning from a Japan Coast Guard vessel, JCG officials said.Collecting....seawater. Yeah, right.
The 794-ton, 50-meter ship at 5:25 a.m. entered the waters 22 km southeast of Uotsuri Island of the islet chain, which is under Japan's control but also claimed by Taiwan and China.
Despite the warning from the JCG patrol ship Hateruma, the research ship stayed in Japanese territorial waters for three hours, according to coast guard officials in Tokyo.
When the Hateruma's crew tried to ascertain by radio the purpose of the vessel's trip, the Taiwanese replied that they were collecting seawater for research.
The Hateruma demanded the ship immediately leave Japan's territorial waters, informing it that research activities without advance notice and the consent of the Japanese government are not allowed. However, the Taiwanese ship failed to respond further and left the territorial waters around 8:20 a.m., the coast guard officials said.
[Taiwan]
A research vessel manned by "students" who all happen to collect government paychecks, I'm sure. It reminds me of the "spontaneous" public protest, consisting largely of students, that erupted when Warren Christopher arrived following the official U.S. announcement that the U.S. would cease diplomatic relations with the ROC... Ma's government is soooooo 1970's.
ReplyDeleteSure. A question is, wich goverment payed those checks.
ReplyDeleteDo you think if it is a research vessel from the US, Japanese vessel will say a word? Oh wait, we have an entire battle flee inside Japanese territory (cough).
ReplyDelete