Japan and the Philippines have recently accelerated their 'clique' diplomacy, conducting so-called 'sea boundary demarcation' east of Taiwan Island, deliberately creating disputes.
On July 2, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China issued a "Legal Comment on the Announcement by Japan and Philippines of the Initiation of Bilateral Maritime Boundary Demarcation". It was clearly stated that Japan, China, and the Philippines are maritime neighbors in this region. The area designated for boundary demarcation overlaps significantly with China's exclusive economic zones and continental shelves under international law. This action was carried out without consultation with China and ignores the specific geographical conditions of the region. It violates principles such as equality of sovereignty and good faith under international law, as well as the obligations of cooperation and restraint. This constitutes an international unlawful act. In order to fulfill international obligations and assume national responsibilities, Japan and the Philippines should immediately stop advancing negotiations on bilateral maritime boundary demarcation and actively engage in consultations with China.
The document emphasizes that even if Japan and Philippines proceed with bilateral negotiations illegally and eventually reach a demarcation result, this result has no validity under international law, and it does not have any binding effect on any third party. Additionally, as the party whose rights have been violated, China has the right to demand from Japan and Philippines compliance with their international obligations based on international law.
This is in response to the actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Security, which have previously expressed their concerns. China once again firmly refutes Japan and Philippines's provocative behavior that undermines regional stability and infringes upon China's legitimate maritime rights and interests from multiple perspectives including legal principles, sovereignty, and regional order.
Yang Yang, Director of the Vietnam Research Institute at the ASEAN College of Guangxi University for Nationalities, Doctor of Science, and Associate Researcher, told Observer Network that the announcement by Japan and Philippines to initiate boundary demarcation is a series of follow-up actions following the downgrading of Japan's relationship with China.
She analyzed that for Japan, its defense industry is facing structural problems due to a long-term lack of export markets. There is a shortage of production capacity and high manufacturing costs. In April this year, Japan lifted restrictions on the export of weapons, further abandoning its pacifist policy. This indicates a connection between economic development and military security. It also reveals Japan's urgent desire to compete for regional dominance. ASEAN countries will thus become important targets for Japan's efforts in this regard.
She mentioned that at the beginning of the month when Japan and Philippines announced the start of territorial demarcation, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Vietnam and Australia. The main theme of her visits was to actively promote the so-called 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific', with the intention of seeking cooperation from China in both strengthening maritime activities and economic supply chains, as well as putting pressure on China.
However, Vietnam and Australia have chosen to cooperate on economic issues. On the South China Sea issue, given that Rodrigo Duterte has been constantly highlighting the South China Sea issue since he took office, the Philippines has become the most suitable target.
As for the impact of Japan and Philippines's current maneuvers, she believes that the initiation of boundary demarcation is actually a joint effort by Japan and Philippines to exert pressure on China through the South China Sea issue. This maneuver has more symbolic significance than practical effect. Moreover, since China, Japan, and the Philippines share overlapping maritime areas, any unilateral negotiations between Japan and the Philippines are ineffective from both practical and legal perspectives, and it is difficult to advance anything substantial in this regard.
Moreover, as China's influence in ASEAN continues to grow, the issue of the South China Sea is becoming less important in ASEAN and even across the entire Asia-Pacific region. This is clearly unfavorable for Japan's ambitions to gain regional dominance.
