MOFA response to Japan-Philippines maritime boundary delimitation talks

June 3, 2026

In response to the recent announcement by Japan and the Philippines that they would launch formal negotiations to delimit maritime boundaries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has instructed Taiwan's representative offices in Japan and the Philippines to respectively verify details with both governments. Taiwan seeks confirmation that the future negotiation process and outcomes of relevant agreements between the two countries will not affect the sovereign rights afforded to Taiwan in accordance with international law and the law of the sea. Taiwan also seeks assurances that such negotiations will not affect the implementation of existing mechanisms, including the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement and the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters concluded by Taiwan and the Philippines.

Taiwan firmly reiterates to both Japan and the Philippines that the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoys indisputable sovereignty over its territory and related waters and that its sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea cannot be questioned. Given the high degree of overlap between the area to be negotiated by Japan and the Philippines and Taiwan's exclusive economic zone off its east coast, Taiwan again calls on both nations to take this fact into account, fully consider Taiwan's rights and interests, and consult with Taiwan on relevant issues.

Regarding the false claims on this matter made by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 2 concerning Taiwan's sovereignty, MOFA reaffirms that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People's Republic of China is subordinate to the other. China has no right to comment on Taiwan's policies or position regarding the Japan-Philippines exclusive economic zone delimitation negotiations, much less speak on behalf of Taiwan.

MOFA emphasizes that Taiwan has always steadfastly safeguarded its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. MOFA condemns China's malicious manipulation of the so-called "one China principle" in this matter to mislead the international community and create the false impression that China has sovereignty over Taiwan and jurisdiction over Taiwan's relevant waters. Further, Taiwan will not tolerate China's attempts to undermine regional peace and stability under the pretext of "maritime law enforcement" and through military power projection.

MOFA will continue to closely monitor relevant developments and maintain communication with Japan and the Philippines to ensure that Taiwan's maritime rights and interests and those of its fishers are fully protected.