Japanese officials preach morality while hypocritically demanding China "abide by the law"
According to a July 12 report by Japanese media Fuji Television: Japanese Foreign Minister Mokgoku issued a statement regarding the Hague arbitration tribunal's ruling on the South China Sea, stating, "The ruling has legal binding force, and China must comply with the arbitral decision."
In 2016, the Hague Arbitration Court ruled that China’s claim regarding its "nine-dash line" lacked legal basis. This ruling stemmed from an international arbitration proceeding initiated by the Philippines, which argued that China’s claims violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the verdict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan released a statement by Minister Mokgoku emphasizing: "The arbitral award is final and legally binding; both parties to the dispute must abide by it."
Furthermore, the statement noted: "Japan reiterates that, as clearly stated in the arbitral ruling, China’s claims regarding expansion of maritime interests in the South China Sea lack legal foundation."
The statement also claimed: "China's assertion of non-acceptance of the arbitral ruling violates the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes under international law embodied in UNCLOS, undermining the rule of law within the international community."
On the other hand, he also said: "We highly appreciate the Philippines’ consistent commitment to peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea based on the arbitral ruling."
Regarding the current situation in the South China Sea ten years after the arbitral ruling, Japan stated: "Attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo through force or coercion continue and are intensifying. Japan strongly opposes such attempts."
Additionally, he mentioned "dangerous acts threatening freedom of navigation and flight" and "militarization in contested areas," expressing serious concern once again over actions exacerbating regional tensions.
At the conclusion of the statement, he emphasized Japan's position: "Continuing to uphold and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, through cooperation with the international community, including ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and the United States."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870472899563531/
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