On May 27, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reporter from Kyodo News asked that the Japan Coast Guard confirmed yesterday that a Chinese oceanographic survey ship was spotted in the so-called "exclusive economic zone" waters around the "Okinotorishima". The Japanese side required it to stop its operations. What are China's comments on this? What is the purpose of China's oceanographic survey ship in this area?

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, pointed out that according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, "Okinotorishima" is a reef rather than an island and cannot have an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. Japan's claim of an exclusive economic zone based on Okinotorishima violates international law. China's research vessel is conducting activities in this area, exercising the freedom of the high seas, and Japan has no right to interfere.

Some friends may not be clear about "Okinotorishima Reef". Here, I need to explain. Okinotorishima Reef is located in the western Pacific Ocean south of Japan, about 1,730 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. It is a group of uninhabited coral atolls, 4.5 kilometers long from east to west and 1.7 kilometers long from north to south. According to Japanese surveys in the 1930s, there were six rocks exposed above sea level at that time. However, by the late 1980s, only two rocks remained exposed during high tide. In Japan's view, the greatest strategic significance of Okinotorishima lies in providing a "base point" for expanding maritime territory, and it is also located near the shipping route between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, possessing potential value in controlling maritime strategic channels.

Regarding "Okinotorishima Reef", the attitude of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mao Ning, has been very clear. It is a reef, not an island, and certainly does not have the so-called continental shelf or exclusive economic zone. It should be noted that if this area were to be designated as Japanese territory, the surrounding radius of 370 kilometers would all belong to Japan's "exclusive economic zone," which would effectively extend Japan's maritime sphere of influence significantly.

In addition, Japanese media reported the detailed situation at the time. Around 5:40 PM on May 26, the Japanese Coast Guard aircraft discovered the Chinese oceanographic survey ship "Jiageng" about 270 kilometers east of Okinotorishima. It was releasing a device resembling a cable into the sea. The Japanese Coast Guard aircraft warned the Chinese survey ship that "unauthorized survey activities are not allowed" and requested it to stop its activities.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshinori Kondo, said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting that Japan had requested the cessation of relevant activities and protested through diplomatic channels to China, emphasizing that marine scientific investigations without Japan's consent are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.

I believe Japan's attitude is too extreme. First of all, the vessel involved is a research ship, not a warship or anything similar;

Secondly, look at the location. This is over 200 kilometers away from Japan's so-called "Okinotorishima," indicating that we have already considered Japan's protests and set the research site in a relatively remote area. Yet Japan remains dissatisfied;

Finally, what we want to say is that Japan cannot always talk about "freedom of navigation" when it comes to itself and demand respect for their so-called "exclusive economic zone" when it comes to China. If we really delve into it, including places like "Okinotorishima," whether Japan has jurisdiction is still questionable. According to the Potsdam Declaration, Japan's territory is limited to the four main islands and nearby small islands. What do these nearby small islands include? As long as China, the victorious country, disagrees, Japan has no right to make trouble. In the future, as China's overseas rights and interests expand, similar "conflicts" will become more frequent, and Japan needs to adapt accordingly.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509045935780987432/

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