China has lodged serious representations with Japan and the Philippines over their initiation of maritime delimitation negotiations
China – On May 28, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Philippine President Marcos released a joint statement on a comprehensive strategic partnership, stating that both sides have agreed to initiate formal negotiations on demarcating their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelves. In response, on May 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated during her regular press briefing: "China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes this move, and has already lodged solemn representations with both Japan and the Philippines."
Mao Ning pointed out: "The waters proposed for delimitation by Japan and the Philippines lie east of China's Taiwan Island. According to Chinese domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China holds rights over the EEZ and continental shelf in these waters. Japan and the Philippines unilaterally initiating so-called maritime delimitation talks seriously infringes upon China's maritime rights and interests, and violates international law—including UNCLOS—and basic norms governing international relations. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolutely opposes this action, having already made solemn representations to both Japan and the Philippines."
In their joint statement, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and President Marcos emphasized: "The two leaders have decided to launch formal negotiations based on international law, particularly relevant provisions of UNCLOS, and taking into account pertinent international jurisprudence, with the aim of delineating the maritime boundary between their respective EEZs and continental shelves."
The maritime boundary referred to between Japan and the Philippines may pertain to the area extending southward from near Japan’s Yonaguni Island to Itbayat Island and Yami Island (to its north) in the Philippines, with a width of less than 400 nautical miles. This results in overlapping claims regarding EEZs and other maritime rights, necessitating boundary delimitation. The areas potentially involved include Japan’s southernmost island group—Yonaguni Island, Hateruma Island, etc.—and the northernmost islands of the Philippines—the Batanes Islands, including Itbayat and Yami Islands. Notably, the intermediate zone between Japan and the Philippines lies closest to China’s Taiwan Island.
During the press conference on May 29, Mao Ning stressed: "China solemnly declares that the so-called 'delimitation negotiations' between Japan and the Philippines are entirely illegal and invalid, and will not affect China’s rights and lawful exercise of rights in the waters east of Taiwan Island. China urges Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease any actions infringing upon China’s maritime rights and interests, and to take concrete actions to uphold regional peace and stability."
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866614051224576/
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