Taiwan plans to set up marine park in East China Sea

TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan will push ahead with plans to set up a national marine park near disputed islands in the East China Sea also claimed by Japan and China, a top official said on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan made the remarks in parliament, one day after dozens of Taiwanese boats entered territorial waters around the disputed islands to press Taipei's claim.

"The Ministry of the Interior will keep working on the establishment of the planned marine national park," Mr Lee told legislators, without giving details.

The planned national park will cover three Taiwan-held islets - Pengjia, Mianhua and Huaping and surrounding waters, measuring some 750sq km, according to authorities.