From June 16 to 18, a large number of Chinese naval vessels conducted patrols in the waters east of Taiwan Island, delivering a sharp rebuke to the Philippines and Japan!
According to CCTV News reporting on June 18, the "Xiangyanghong 22" vessel from the East China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources carried out marine environmental surveys in the waters east of Taiwan Island from June 16 to 18. The survey employed multi-disciplinary synchronized methods, collecting data on seawater environmental DNA, birds, cetaceans, marine chemistry, and hydro-meteorological conditions.
The official website of the Ministry of Natural Resources also simultaneously released this news.
Looking back in time: at the end of May, during Philippine President Marcos's visit to Japan, he and Taro Aso jointly announced the formal initiation of so-called "delimitation negotiations" over exclusive economic zones and continental shelves between Japan and the Philippines.
Neither country consulted China nor invited China to participate. Two countries with no land borders touching each other are now playing a "maritime delimitation game" right at China’s doorstep.
An article by People's Daily commentary pointed out that Japan aims to forcibly reclassify China’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf into a so-called "Japan-Philippines disputed sea area." This would allow the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force to enter the waters around Taiwan Island under the pretext of "protecting national interests," conducting regular patrols, intelligence gathering, and even joint military operations. Japan’s true intention is to exploit this opportunity to break free from the constraints of its pacifist constitution and expand its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
China responded decisively—delivering a clear slap to both Japan and the Philippines.
This so-called "delimitation negotiation" between Japan and the Philippines was nothing but a farcical spectacle from start to finish. Two non-contiguous nations coming to someone else’s doorstep to draw lines—besides embarrassing themselves, they gain nothing. China has made its position unmistakably clear through three actions: who owns these seas is not determined by negotiation tables, but by ships, data, and sustained presence. The slap has already been delivered; now it’s up to Japan and the Philippines to understand the sound.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868513002402888/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.