Taiwan's military and the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday held a joint exercise in overlapping waters with the Philippines in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions between the countries after the shooting and killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine coast guard last week.

Taiwan's military and the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday held a joint exercise in overlapping waters with the Philippines in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions between the countries after the shooting and killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine coast guard last week.

The United States expressed concern Wednesday over the increase in tension between Taipei and Manila over the fatal May 9 shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippines and urged the two sides to work toward an effective resolution of their differences.

President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that Taiwan's demands to the Philippines over a fatal shooting incident are justified but also said that his government will deal with Manila peacefully.

The United States chapter of Taiwan's Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation was honored as the Member of the Year in a U.S. non-profit organization for volunteer groups.

A Taiwan naval vessel yesterday departed from a southern harbor to join a joint exercise with the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) set to be held today as part of the government's efforts to showcase its determination to protect fishermen operating in disputed areas in the South China Sea.

President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday held a National Security Council meeting, deciding to launch the first round of sanctions against the Philippines over its failure to meet Taiwan's demands with regard to the recent shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coastguardsmen.

Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦), minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), yesterday thanked mainland China for its concern over the recent spat between Taiwan and the Philippines, stressing, however, that it is the responsibility of the Republic of China government to protect the nation's fishing rights in the South China Sea.

A long-awaited apology on behalf of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and his nation was issued through a special envoy last night to the family of a Taiwanese fisherman slain by a Philippine coast guard last Thursday.

Taiwan's representative to the Philippines Raymond Wang yesterday returned to Taiwan amid the increasing row with Manila, following the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman in the two countries' overlapping waters.