Taiwan has rejected an apology from the Philippines over the death of one of its fishermen raising fears of further clashes in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The Taiwanese fisherman was killed last Thursday by Philippines law enforcement officials who opened fire on his boat, prompting Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan’s president, to threaten to stop processing worker visas for Filipinos unless Manila by Tuesday formally apologises and opens talks with Taiwan over fishing rights.
The incident is the latest to roil political relations in the South China Sea, a growing flashpoint in Asian diplomacy. Conflicts have risen in part as China has become more assertive in its claims to nearly the entire resource-rich area.