China’s recent aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including ramming boats and using water cannons against vessels, directly threaten freedom of navigation and overflight, undermining regional peace and stability, according to Japan.
In a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan condemned “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.”
It reiterated its opposition to China’s “dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels as well as aircrafts.”
Consistently, Japan reaffirmed its commitment to enforce the ‘legally binding’ arbitral award governing disputes in the South China Sea, in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Japan highly appreciates the Government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea and shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea,” Japan said.
“Japan has consistently advocated upholding the rule of law at sea and will continue to cooperate with the international community including ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the rule of law,” it concluded.
