Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou on Sunday proposed a peace initiative to address disputes over the Diaoyu Islands - which are claimed by both China and Japan - urging relevant parties to show restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to the issue.

Under what he called "the East China Sea Peace Initiative," Ma urged all parties to refrain from taking actions that could escalate tensions, observe international laws and resolve disputes through peaceful means, the Taiwan-based China Post reported.

Ma said all sides should also seek consensus on a code of conduct in the East China Sea and establish a mechanism of cooperation for the joint exploration of resources in the region. Ma's peace initiative came after Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said last week that Japan is ready to send in military forces if deemed necessary to protect the islands.

Taiwanese officials said they have conveyed Ma's proposal to the Japanese government, but there has been no response from Tokyo yet.

Global Times