April 5, 2014
No. 064
The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology announced yesterday that new primary school textbooks to be used starting in April 2015 would for the first time include the claim that the Diaoyutai Islands are an inherent part of Japanese territory. Similar claims were made in the Diplomatic Bluebook 2014 approved by the Japanese cabinet yesterday. The government of the Republic of China has expressed serious concern over these two inappropriate actions and lodged a strong protest with Japan through diplomatic channels. It has firmly reiterated that the Diaoyutai Islands are an inherent part of the ROC, and any attempt by Japan to undermine ROC sovereignty is invalid and is not beneficial to regional stability.
The ROC government has also stressed its consistent stance on the Diaoyutai Islands, namely, to safeguard sovereignty, shelve disputes, pursue peace and reciprocity, and promote joint exploration and development. It again urges all parties concerned to adhere to the East China Sea Peace Initiative and transform the East China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation through peaceful dialogue, consultation, and cooperation.（E）