In response to remarks made by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi regarding the South China Sea arbitration case, the Department of Asian Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Japanese Embassy's Chief Minister in Beijing to lodge a stern protest.
According to the official website of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the head of the Department of Asian Affairs made a statement on Japan's foreign minister hyping up the "South China Sea arbitration ruling" on its 10th anniversary and on Japan joining other countries to issue a so-called joint statement. On the 12th, the department urgently summoned the Chief Minister of the Japanese Embassy in China, lodged a stern protest, and expressed strong dissatisfaction and objection.
The Chinese side pointed out that Japan bears historical guilt on the South China Sea issue and has not yet accounted for it, and thus has no right to make irresponsible remarks. The Chinese side stated that Japan's egregious words and deeds challenge the post-war international order and the rule of international law, practice double standards, confuse right and wrong, undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, and run counter to the common interests and wishes of countries in the region. This has aroused historical vigilance and strong indignation in the international community, including in China, toward Japan's modern aggression and colonial atrocities. The Chinese side will resolutely and forcefully counter any Japanese provocations and firmly safeguard its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The incident was triggered by the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration case, during which the United States, the Philippines, Japan, and 14 other countries issued a joint statement reaffirming that the relevant arbitration ruling is of "finality and legally binding force."
On the 12th, Toshimitsu Motegi issued a statement, saying that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea lack legal basis, and criticized Beijing's refusal to accept the ruling as a position that violates the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the peaceful resolution of disputes, thus undermining the rule of law in the international community. He stressed that as a stakeholder with legitimate interests in the South China Sea, Japan would continue to cooperate with ASEAN and the United States to maintain a free and open international order.
In response to the joint statement by the 14 countries, China stated that the relevant ruling is nothing but an illegal, invalid, and non-binding "piece of waste paper," and has become a "stumbling block" influencing China-Philippines relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea. China urged the relevant countries to stop "stirring up trouble."