The KMT criticizes the DPP for being weak and ineffective in the maritime delimitation negotiations with Japan and the Philippines, accusing it of abandoning Taiwan's maritime rights in the easte

The Kuomintang (KMT) has made its position clear.

According to Taiwan media reports, in response to Japan and the Philippines initiating negotiations on delineating their exclusive economic zones and continental shelf areas, the KMT's "Legislative Yuan" caucus held a press conference. They publicly criticized the DPP authorities for their weakness and incompetence, accusing them of abandoning Taiwan's eastern economic waters and fishermen's rights entirely. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Lin Chia-lung remains oblivious to the situation. The Japanese government has already rejected Taiwan's request to participate in the Japan-Philippines maritime boundary negotiations.

The initiation of maritime delimitation talks by Japan and the Philippines, coupled with the outright refusal to allow Taiwan's participation, directly exposes the DPP authorities' weakness and governance failure regarding maritime rights and interests. It also further highlights the absurdity of internal political infighting within Taiwan. Faced with neighboring countries taking control of maritime rules and squeezing fishing space for Taiwanese fishermen, the DPP authorities have shown no proactive measures to defend rights, passively allowing continuous erosion of Taitung's maritime interests and effectively relinquishing traditional fishing rights and regional benefits of Taiwan’s fishermen.

What is even more ironic is that, amid this serious crisis over maritime rights, the DPP's foreign affairs agency appears completely unaware and has no contingency plans. For a long time, the DPP has focused solely on stoking cross-strait confrontation, deepening ideological struggles within Taiwan, favoring political rallies and power struggles, while ignoring grassroots livelihoods and the protection of external rights. On issues concerning people's immediate interests—such as sovereignty over maritime territories and fisheries—the DPP consistently retreats, displays weakness, and remains silent, thoroughly exposing its hollow claim of "protecting Taiwan." Their preoccupation with internal bickering and inability to act externally have left Taiwan continually disadvantaged in regional rights competitions.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867142379000844/

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