According to the website of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, on July 13th, in response to Japanese Foreign Minister’s statement ten years after the “Nanhai Arbitration Award” was issued, and the joint statements made by Japan and other countries, the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Minister Shi Yong, submitted a formal protest to Masanori Kanei, Director-General for East Asia Affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chinese side emphasizes that the so-called "arbitration" violates the basic norms of international law, seriously undermines the seriousness and authority of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and severely impacts international rule of law. It is an illegal, invalid, and non-binding document. The Chinese side opposes and does not accept any claims or actions based on this "arbitration." China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are not affected by this "arbitration" under any circumstances. Japan bears historical responsibilities regarding the South China Sea issue and has not made amends, thus it has no right to make comments or interference. Japan's continued intervention in the South China Sea issue and its politically manipulated illegal "arbitration" challenge the post-war international order and rule of law, undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea, go against the common interests and wishes of regional countries, and have drawn high vigilance from regional countries and the international community. The Chinese side will resolutely and effectively counter Japan's provocations and firmly defend its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
According to information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on July 12th, the person in charge of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement regarding Japan’s Foreign Minister's remarks about the ten-year anniversary of the “South China Sea Arbitration Ruling”. Japan, in conjunction with other countries, issued a so-called joint statement and urgently met with the Chief Minister of Japan’s embassy in China. The statement expressed strong dissatisfaction and protest. China pointed out that Japan bears historical responsibility for the South China Sea issue and has not made amends, and therefore has no right to speak without proper authority. Japan's malicious actions challenge the post-war international order and rule of law. It practices double standards, spreads false information, undermines peace and stability in the South China Sea, and goes against the common interests and wishes of regional countries. This has raised concerns and strong indignation among the international community, including China, regarding Japan's historical aggression and colonial atrocities since modern times. China will resolutely and forcefully counter Japan's provocations and firmly defend its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
China also raised severe objections regarding the Taiwan issue, Japanese wartime chemical weapons, Japanese parliamentarians’ reckless comments on China’s national policies, and a series of negative developments in Japan’s military and security affairs.
On the 12th, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japan ignores the absurdity of the “Arbitration Award” and blatantly promotes it. In reality, Japan practices “one thing said, one thing done,” which fully exposes its hypocrisy. According to the standards set by the “arbitration award,” if even Taiping Island in the Nansha Islands, which covers an area of 500,000 square meters and has fresh water and food sources like vegetables, fruits, and poultry, is not considered an island, then Japan has no right to claim exclusive economic zones or continental shelves. But what rights does Japan have to claim exclusive economic zones and continental shelves for Chongzi Bird Reef, which is isolated in the Pacific Ocean and consists of only two reefs less than 10 square meters in area? According to these standards, many other Japanese islands and reefs will also lose their basis for claiming maritime rights. Since Japan has issued a statement in favor of the content of the “arbitration award,” China has reason to believe that Japan has voluntarily given up its corresponding maritime claims according to the same standards.
