Chen Shui-bian uses island visit to repeat claim to Diaoyus
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian reiterated Taipei's claim to the disputed Diaoyu Islands yesterday during a visit to a small island north of Taiwan in yet another high-profile bid to shore up his leadership.
'There is no doubt the Diaoyu Islands belong to Taiwan and we have never wavered or shifted our stance on this,' Mr Chen said during an unannounced visit to Pengchiayu, 33 nautical miles off Keelung in northern Taiwan.
While reinforcing Taiwan's claim to the Diaoyus, he said his government would do all it could to negotiate with the Japanese government to safeguard Taiwanese fishermen's rights to East China Sea fishing grounds claimed by Taiwan, Japan and the mainland.
The trip to Pengchiayu was the first by a Taiwanese leader to the tiny island, which has only a lighthouse, weather observation centre and heliport.
Mr Chen also said his visit to the islet was aimed at supporting the coastguard and military personnel stationed there.
'I am here to boost the morale of our men from the coastguard and to demonstrate my will and determination to defend our claims over our sea and land territories,' he said as he unveiled a monument inscribed with the words 'defending sea territory'.
Taiwan's coastguard plans new bases on the islet for patrol missions and to monitor oil exploration disputes.
Mr Chen made a similar trip last month to the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. Observers say the inspections are an attempt to fend off criticism that he has become a lame-duck president.
