World News Taiwan frigates sail disputed waters

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SUAO, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwanese warships carrying the nation's defense minister and speaker of Parliament were sent June 21 to defend fishermen who have repeatedly been chased by Japanese patrol boats away from disputed East China Sea waters.

In a move likely to lift diplomatic tensions, Defense Minister Lee Jye and Parliament Speaker Wang Jin-pyng led a group of lawmakers from Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties to the rich fishing grounds near a group of mineral-rich islands claimed by Taiwan, China and Japan.

The frigates, armed with antiship missiles, made no contact with Japanese vessels while near the islands - which are known as the Senkakus in Japan, Diaoyu in China, and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan.

"This area belongs to us historically, geographically and legally. There is no question about it," Wang told reporters. "We must defend our sovereignty and protect our fishing rights."

台湾、尖閣付近に軍艦を派遣

台湾の国防部長と立法院長らを乗せた台湾海軍のフリゲート艦が6月21日、尖閣諸島沿岸に派遣された。

Shukan ST: July 1, 2005

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