China blasts ‘illegal’ Japan-Philippines sea border talks

China has voiced strong opposition to the newly initiated maritime border negotiations between Japan and the Philippines, denouncing the talks as "illegal." Beijing asserts exclusive control over the waters in question, located east of Taiwan, and has lodged formal protests with both nations.

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China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this.

The decision to begin formal talks was announced following a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo. The objective is to delimit the maritime boundary encompassing the economic zone and continental shelf between the two island nations. This move comes amid increasing cooperation between Japan and the Philippines, driven by shared concerns over China's expansive maritime territorial claims.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, stated that Beijing is "strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to" the delimitation talks. She reiterated China's claim to an "exclusive economic zone and continental shelf" in the contested waters. The spokesperson added that China has "lodged solemn representations" with both Tokyo and Manila, underscoring the seriousness of its objections.

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China solemnly declares that the so-called delimitation negotiations between Japan and the Philippines are entirely illegal and invalid.

The dispute highlights escalating tensions in the East and South China Seas. Japan and China are engaged in ongoing territorial and economic disputes in the East China Sea, marked by routine standoffs between their coastguard vessels. Meanwhile, China's deployment of naval and coast guard assets in the South China Sea aims to restrict Philippine access to strategically important reefs and islands, leading to frequent confrontations.

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Beijing has “lodged solemn representations” with both countries.