China ramps up warning to Japan, Philippines over maritime talks
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- China's Ministry of Natural Resources released a legal opinion on July 2 declaring the planned Japan-Philippines maritime talks 'constitute an internationally wrongful act' because they were initiated without consulting Beijing.
- The China Institute for Marine Affairs opinion asserts China owns the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the disputed waters, including Taiwan, and argues the talks infringe on Chinese territorial sovereignty and violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Beijing has escalated by sending Coast Guard vessels to patrol the disputed waters east of Taiwan and deploying survey ships to map the seabed.
- Japan and the Philippines have deepened military ties, agreeing in May to elevate their relationship and open a series of defence talks.
- The leaders of Japan and the Philippines have suggested in recent months their nations would likely be drawn into any fight over Taiwan — remarks Beijing said irked it.
- The legal opinion also warned outside powers to avoid the 'political risks' of assisting or recognising the Japan-Philippine talks.
Why it matters: Beijing labeling allies' bilateral talks as legally 'wrongful' — without independent arbitration cited — raises Manila and Tokyo's diplomatic cost and pressures third parties to pick sides. With Coast Guard vessels already patrolling and survey ships mapping the seabed east of Taiwan, China is converting a legal memo into on-water pressure before the talks even convene.
