TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The foreign ministry on Tuesday urged Japan and the Philippines to respect Taiwan’s maritime rights as the two countries prepare to discuss sea boundaries in areas that partly overlap with Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone.

CNA reported that MOFA Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said Taiwan would protect the rights and interests of its fishers, including access to fishing grounds. He said the government would continue talks with Japan and the Philippines on maritime issues.

Japan and the Philippines announced last Thursday that they would begin talks on maritime boundaries in their overlapping exclusive economic zones, The Straits Times reported. An exclusive economic zone is a maritime area where a government has rights to explore, use, and manage natural resources.

Some Taiwan maritime experts have raised concerns because the planned talks involve waters east of Taiwan. These areas partly overlap with Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone.

Hsiao said Taiwan believes Japan and the Philippines do not intend to harm Taiwan’s rights through the talks. He said no details have been released on the proposed boundaries.

The ministry has asked Taiwan’s representative offices in Tokyo and Manila to collect more information. Hsiao said the government would ask both countries to hold talks with Taipei to make sure Taiwan’s rights are protected.

Hsiao also cited Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru, who said Monday that any Japan-Philippines maritime boundary agreement would not be legally binding on other parties. Hsiao said Taiwan would continue to follow the issue closely.