Mainland China's top official for Taiwan affairs yesterday called for cooperation with the island nation during heightened tensions with Japan over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands, according the Chinese-language World Journal.
Both mainland China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands which has been under Japanese control since the end of World War II.
The waters surrounding the small, barren Diaoyutai Islands near Okinawa has been an important location for fishermen working out of mainland China, Taiwan, and Japan.
Head of mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office said yesterday during a meeting with the Taiwan contingent at the National People's Congress that both mainland China and Taiwan hold responsibility in defending its territory.
"Diaoyutai Islands is a part of China and the defense of the islands is a responsilibty that should be shared between both sides of the Taiwan Strait," said Wang.
Wang said that the methods between mainland China and Taiwan in defending Diaoyutai may be different but the ultimate goal should be the same.
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