The standoff between the Governments of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Philippines over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman last fortnight and the ensuing claims and counter-claims have led to rising tension in the region, with both countries hoping to resolve the issue through peaceful talks.
The Editor of this newspaper was in Taipei when this unfortunate incident began to unfold, grabbing national headlines, with daily statements from the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, followed by comments from the national and international media.
The war of words between Taiwan and the Philippines began following an incident on May 9 in which a Philippines Government vessel shot at a ROC unarmed fishing boat Guang Da Xing (No 28), resulting in the death of its crew member Hong Shi-cheng.
An ROC prosecutor, who inspected the boat found 52 bullet holes around the vessel and that Hong had been killed by bullets.
President Ma Ying-jeou described the shooting as ‘cold-blooded murder,’ and rejected the initial apology tendered by his Filipino counterpart Benigno Aquino III as ‘unacceptable.’ A Foreign Ministry delegation from Taiwan returned from the Philippines empty-handed and at press time, the relations between the two economic partners remained where it was two weeks earlier- tense and strained.
Taiwan’s fishing fleet has a reputation for staying within its territorial waters, and in this incident the Philippines Government said that its coastguard was acting against illegal fishing; it opened fire to disable the engine of a Taiwanese vessel after it tried to ram a Philippine cutter. Taiwanese officials said the dead man was unarmed, and his boat was riddled with bullet holes. The public, whipped up by a tub-thumping press, was outraged. The government demanded an apology, an inquiry and compensation and imposed tough sanctions, including a freeze on the hiring of Filipino workers and the recall of ambassadors.
But Manila was unrelenting.
From Taiwan’s standpoint, its fisherman had not strayed into the waters of the Philippines, since the shooting took place 164 nautical miles (about 300 Kms) Southeast of Taiwan, identified as the overlapping ‘Exclusive Economic Zones’ between the two countries.
Since English is not widely spoken in Taipei, it was difficult to ascertain the views of Taiwanese directly but it was evident from the local media and discussions with groups that there was widespread support for the stand taken by the Ma Government and its efforts to calm the growing tension.
Initial reports of international media were confusing but as officials in Taipei said, journalists were beginning to understand the ground realities.
According to the Economist, the incident has brought Taiwan to the centre stage of world affairs. “In the convoluted dramas in the seas around China, Taiwan is often cast as a bit player, the optional extra to the lengthy lists of contending parties to the many territorial disputes. The killing provoked a crisis in its relations with an important economic partner that happens also to be a treaty ally of America—the ultimate guarantor of Taiwan’s own defence,” it said.
The Guardian was more vocal, saying that the Philippine coast guard vessel went too far in chasing off a Taiwanese fishing vessel in disputed waters, causing the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.
“Despite sending an envoy to Taiwan to convey deep regret and apology to the family of the deceased fisherman, the Philippines Government fell short of issuing an official apology,” the publication said and added that the fisheries pact signed earlier between Taiwan and Japan could be used as a template for other similar disputes.
“Taiwan is winning greater regional influence for itself,” the newspaper said.
Although this incident has created a new problem for the Republic of China, it is hoped that Manila and Taipei will be able to settle the differences and move on. On its part, the Philippines Government would do well to take suitable steps to appease matters.
