BEIJING, China — China has criticized the decision of Japan and the Philippines to move forward with discussions on establishing a maritime boundary, insisting that the initiative has no legal basis and reiterating its claims over disputed waters.
The announcement from Tokyo and Manila came after Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where both sides agreed to begin formal negotiations aimed at defining their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and continental shelf limits.
Beijing quickly responded, maintaining its position over waters east of Taiwan and opposing any process it believes undermines its territorial claims.
Speaking at a regular briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing firmly rejects the talks, describing them as “illegal and invalid” from China’s perspective. She also said diplomatic representations have already been made to both Japan and the Philippines regarding the matter.
The dispute highlights growing geopolitical tensions in the region, where Japan and the Philippines have increasingly strengthened cooperation in response to maritime concerns involving China.
Japan remains engaged in separate territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea, an area that has seen frequent encounters between coast guard vessels of both countries.
At the same time, China continues to maintain a strong maritime presence in parts of the South China Sea, where it has ongoing disputes with the Philippines over strategic reefs and waters, leading to repeated confrontations in recent years.
Written by Jan Gabrielle Visda
Jan Gabrielle Visda is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
