China sends warning to Japan and the Philippines over ‘wrongful’ maritime talks

China has issued a stern legal warning to Japan and the Philippines, denouncing their planned maritime border negotiations as "internationally wrongful." Beijing argues that the talks, agreed upon in May, violate international law by proceeding without China's consultation and by disregarding specific regional geographical circumstances.

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ China Institute for Marine Affairs released a legal opinion stating that the announcement harms sovereign equality. The statement further asserted that the move violates duties of cooperation and self-restraint, as well as the principle of good faith. China views itself as the injured party and claims entitlement to hold Japan and the Philippines responsible for their internationally wrongful acts.

Japan and the Philippines, while sharing no direct maritime borders, are entitled as coastal states to project exclusive economic zones extending 200 nautical miles from their shores. These zones overlap with areas claimed by China, making the upcoming negotiations a point of contention for Beijing.