During Philippine President Marcos Jr.'s visit to Japan on the 28th, Japan and the Philippines issued a joint statement announcing the official launch of delimitation negotiations concerning their Exclusive Economic Zones and continental shelves. On the 29th, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the so-called "delimitation negotiations" are completely illegal and invalid, that China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes them, and has lodged solemn representations to both Japan and the Philippines.
The maritime area in question, demarcated by Japan and the Philippines, is located east of Taiwan.
Japan and the Philippines have recently been intensifying their military cooperation, including the transfer of naval vessels and other weaponry, as well as the establishment of a military intelligence mechanism. On the 28th, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held talks with Marcos Jr. in Tokyo. According to a joint statement released by the Philippine presidential office, the two leaders decided to launch formal negotiations to delimit their countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones and continental shelves in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and by reference to relevant international precedents, to enhance legal certainty in the region.
● Approaching the 10th Anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration
The timing of this decision coincides with the approaching 10th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration, touching on sensitive nerves in the region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that according to Chinese domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China holds an Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf in the area. The unilateral launch of maritime delimitation negotiations by Japan and the Philippines severely infringes on China's maritime rights and interests, and seriously violates international law, including UNCLOS, and basic norms governing international relations.
She said China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes this, and has lodged solemn representations to both Japan and the Philippines.
She also stated that China solemnly declares that the so-called "delimitation negotiations" by Japan and the Philippines are completely illegal and invalid, will not affect China's claims and exercise of its lawful rights in the waters east of Taiwan, and urges Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease any actions that infringe upon China's maritime rights and interests, and to safeguard regional peace and stability with concrete actions.