The United States is committed to defending Japan and opposed to any Chinese action to seize territory controlled by Japan in the East China Sea, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said April 14, AP reported.

China's Foreign Ministry on April 10 expressed concern after Japan and Taiwan signed a fishing agreement for the seas around the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, Reuters reported.

The Taiwanese coast guard announced March 1 that it would stage a live-fire exercise near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, PTI reported.

The United States will grant 180-day waiver on Iran sanctions for nine countries in exchange for cutting purchases of Iranian oil, an unnamed congressional aide said Dec. 7, Reuters reported.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou might consider inviting Chinese officials to visit Taiwan in the future, but not right now, according to a statement issued by Ma's office Nov. 9, AFP reported.

Taiwan has proposed to Japan the establishment of a jointly controlled area in the East China Sea that would allow both sides to fish in each other's overlapping exclusive economic zones, Taiwanese Foreign Minister David Lin said Nov. 7, Kyodo reported.

Two other former Taiwanese military officers have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, according to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, AP reported Oct. 29.

Taiwanese authorities arrested former naval Cmdr. Chang Chih-hsin on suspicion of spying for China, AP reported Oct. 29, citing Taiwan's Defense Ministry.

The government will work to protect fishermen in Taiwanese territories near the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands (or Diaoyutai Islands, in Taiwanese), the Fisheries Agency said Oct. 14, The China Post reported. According to the agency, the economic fishing zone extending 200 nautical miles from Taiwan's coast overlaps with territory claimed by Japan, creating a dispute that should be resolved through dialogue.