Now it's Japan's turn to be strongly dissatisfied and protest! Japan has demanded negotiations with us, but we have ignored them completely! On April 20, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japan confirmed China is advancing construction activities related to a new facility on the western side of the "Japan-China median line" in the East China Sea. In the absence of a clearly demarcated exclusive economic zone and continental shelf boundary in the East China Sea, China continues unilateral development activities in this maritime area. Moreover, Japan has now confirmed new construction initiatives, which Japan deeply regrets.
The Director-General of the Asia and Oceania Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanai, lodged a strong protest with the Chinese Embassy in Japan through a charge d'affaires, and again urgently called on China to restart negotiations as soon as possible and conclude an international treaty to implement the "2008 Consensus" regarding East China Sea resource development. Clearly, Japan is strongly opposed to our construction of new facilities for oil exploration and extraction in relevant economic zones. According to Japan’s logic, since the boundaries are not yet defined, China has no justification for so-called "unilateral" construction.
But in reality? The so-called "Japan-China median line" is entirely Japan’s unilateral claim, never recognized by China, nor does it possess any legal validity under international law. Japan repeatedly invokes the issue of undefined borders, essentially aiming to use disputes to constrain China’s normal marine development and exercise of sovereignty. From our perspective, what business does Japan have with our construction activities within our own economic waters? This is entirely our legitimate right and interest.
When Sino-Japanese relations were friendly, we might have taken Japan’s feelings into account. Now that bilateral relations have deteriorated, there is absolutely no reason for us to consider Japan’s sentiments. Japan’s desire to negotiate with us now is nothing short of wishful thinking. There is currently no atmosphere conducive to dialogue between China and Japan. Rather than shouting empty protests from afar, Japan should first reflect on its own wrongdoings. Otherwise, China’s legitimate development and management measures in the East China Sea will only proceed steadily. To expect China to compromise or retreat due to diplomatic pressure is nothing but a pipe dream.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862987624675530/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.