Japan hits China over criticism vs. envoy’s remarks in Sabina ramming

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

“Japan will continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with UNCLOS and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.” (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – Japan has rebuked China over its “serious misrepresentations” in its statement that criticized Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo’s Sabina Shoal remarks, saying it only diverts attention from Beijing’s “dangerous actions” in the South China Sea.

“The argument in the statement contains serious misrepresentations on diverse matters, over which Japan’s basic positions have been expressed previously,” the Japanese Embassy said in a statement dated Aug. 30.

“We will not repeat here our positions on each of the points raised as we do not wish to divert attention from the central issue, which is the recent dangerous actions in the South China Sea.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Aug. 29 singled out and accused Japan of butting into the South China Sea issue after Endo expressed serious concern over the Chinese Coast Guard’s recent ramming of a Filipino vessel in the Escoda or Sabina Shoal.

The Chinese side said Endo’s criticism “can hardly contribute to upholding a rules-based international order” as it throws in such subjects as the discharge of Fukushima treated radioactive water, the status of the Oki-no-Tori Shima Island, and the Japanese invasion during World War II.

On his X account on Aug. 25, the Japanese ambassador said the confrontation was an “unacceptable development” and that “any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated.”

‘Directly related’

The Japanese Embassy in Manila reiterated that the South China Sea issue is “directly related” to regional stability and that Tokyo would continue working with the international community to maintain a “free and open” international order based on the rule of law.

“The international community, including Japan, has repeatedly expressed serious concerns over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions,” it said.

“Japan will continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with UNCLOS and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.”

The embassy pointed out that China’s assertions on baselines in the South China Sea “are not based” on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“UNCLOS sets forth the conditions for the application of baselines in a specific and exhaustive manner, whereas China has failed to invoke the relevant provisions of UNCLOS in asserting the lawfulness of the baselines in question,” the embassy said.

“Japan has pointed out that the Arbitral Tribunal ruled that the ‘historical rights’ based on the ‘nine-dash line’ claimed by China were found to be contrary to UNCLOS and were clearly denied. Regrettably, China has not changed its position of not accepting the Arbitral Tribunal’s award to the Philippines and China, and has continued to assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with the UNCLOS.”

Addressing the Chinese side, the embassy said Article 296 of UNCLOS “articulates that any decision rendered by a tribunal having jurisdiction under UNCLOS shall be final and shall be complied with by all the parties to the dispute.”