Japan says Beijing’s ‘dangerous behavior’ in South China Sea a ‘grave concern’

From CNN Philippines (Jul 6, 2023): Japan says Beijing’s ‘dangerous behavior’ in South China Sea a ‘grave concern’ (By Tristan Nodalo, CNN Philippines)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 6) — The Japanese government on Thursday slammed China’s unilateral actions and repeated intrusions into Japanese waters and in the South China Sea.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa said Beijing’s dangerous behavior in the South China Sea and continuing defiance of the 2016 arbitral award by an international tribunal in The Hague is a serious concern.

“As China’s unilateral actions such as repeated intrusions into Japan’s waters around the Senkaku Islands in the ECS (East China Sea), China's dangerous behavior in the South China Sea in defiance of the 2016 arbitration award is a grave concern for regional peace and stability,” the Japanese envoy said in a tweet.

Ambassador Koshikawa also attached a link of the report of the Philippine Coast Guard indicating that Chinese Coast Guard vessels “dangerously maneuvered” to block two Philippine ships during a recent resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Japan was also among countries that previously slammed a near collision incident involving Chinese and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea last May.

Like the Philippines, Japan also has a territorial dispute with China over the rocky, uninhabited Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

While the islands are uninhabited, the Council on Foreign Relations said in a CNN report that there are economic interests involved.

Japan, PH eye new security collaboration

In a recent meeting with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the Japanese envoy said the countries will be exploring new security collaborations.

“Our growing bilateral relationship with the PH further deepened as promises of new security collaborations were explored!" Koshikawa said in a tweet.

"The productive meeting with Defense Sec. Teodoro solidified our commitment on advancing security cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the region,” he also said.

In a statement, the Department of National Defense also expressed gratitude to Japan for being a reliable partner in the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Japan and the Philippines have been closely working together to reinforce Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and maritime law enforcement for the stability of the South China Sea,” the Embassy said in a previous statement.

Tokyo said it is willing to take part in trilateral dialogues with Manila and Washington, especially on defense policies.

“Japan is committed to further enhancement of defense exchanges through trilateral dialogues like the Japan-Philippines-U.S. Trilateral Defense Policy Dialogue, and participation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Philippines-U.S. joint exercises,” the Embassy added.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/6/japan-beijing-south-china-sea-dangerous-behavior.html