Chairman of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, Su Tseng-chang, is criticizing the government for being soft in the Diaoyutai Islands dispute.

The Diaoyutai Islands are claimed by Taiwan, Japan, and Mainland China. Earlier this week Japan arrested and deported a group of Hong Kong activists who landed on the islands. The activists planted Taiwan's and China's flags there.

On Saturday the opposition leader said that Taiwan owns sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands. He said the government's reaction to recent territorial disputes would not contribute to regional peace and stability.

Su also said the government's attitude is not clear enough. He criticized the government for not responding to the fact that the flags of China were on the Diaoyutai Islands.

In response to Su's criticism, the ruling party, the Kuomintang, said Taiwan's sovereignty over the Diaoyutais is unquestionable. The party also said the government was offering "humanitarian assistance" to the Hong Kong activists. The party said Su was simply trying to score political points.