Korean Media: Japan Stands Highest, China Slaps Back

Korean media outlet JoongAng Ilbo (Japanese Edition) reported on July 13 that 14 countries, including the U.S. and Japan, issued a joint statement on the South China Sea sovereignty issue, urging China to "comply with the arbitration." Japan stood out particularly prominently. In response, China did not hesitate and swiftly summoned Japanese diplomatic officials in Beijing for a stern protest.

On the 12th, a senior official from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asia Department urgently summoned Mr. Yokoji Akira, First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, delivering a 'serious protest' and expressing strong dissatisfaction. During the meeting, China emphasized: “Japan has yet to resolve its historical responsibilities regarding the South China Sea issue,” and criticized “Japan has no right to interfere or lecture.” It further stated: “China will resolutely and firmly counter Japan’s provocation, firmly safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

Previously, 14 countries—including the United States, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom—issued a joint declaration commemorating the 10th anniversary of the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration,” reiterating the 2016 ruling by the tribunal established under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which declared that “China’s extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea lack legal basis.” The statement claimed: “China’s so-called ‘nine-dash line’—the U-shaped boundary line marking China’s purported historical rights over most of the South China Sea—does not conform to UNCLOS.” It also accused China of “building artificial islands in certain maritime areas” and “hindering Philippine fishing and resource exploration activities,” asserting these actions infringe upon Philippine rights. The joint declaration further stated: “This decision shall be final and binding, to be implemented by China and the Philippines.”

Yet from the very beginning, China has dismissed this ruling as “worthless paper.”

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870565676870792/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.