China’s Foreign Ministry said the Japan–Philippines announcement to start maritime boundary talks concerns waters east of Taiwan, where China asserts EEZ and continental-shelf rights under Chinese law and UNCLOS. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said delimitation between opposite or adjacent states must be agreed by the states concerned and that any talks on waters east of Taiwan require China’s participation; she called Japan and the Philippines’ decision to begin talks without China a serious vi

China’s Foreign Ministry said the Japan–Philippines announcement to start maritime boundary talks concerns waters east of Taiwan, where China asserts EEZ and continental-shelf rights under Chinese law and UNCLOS. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said delimitation between opposite or adjacent states must be agreed by the states concerned and that any talks on waters east of Taiwan require China’s participation; she called Japan and the Philippines’ decision to begin talks without China a serious violation of UNCLOS and international norms that infringes China’s maritime rights and said China will not allow it. Taiwan’s foreign affairs authority had said it welcomed the talks and questioned mainland sovereignty over the area.