China condemns Japan‑Philippines sea‑boundary talks in waters east of Taiwan

Japan and the Philippines announced a joint initiative to negotiate the delimitation of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelf in the sea area east of Taiwan. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesperson Mao Ning, labeled the proposed talks illegal and a violation of China’s maritime rights under domestic law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, stressing that the negotiations will not affect China’s claims.

Taiwan’s authorities had previously expressed a positive stance toward the Japan‑Philippines plan, prompting domestic criticism. The dispute is occurring against a backdrop of heightened regional tension, including a pause by the United States on a roughly $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan following President Trump’s visit to China, during which he said he does not support Taiwan independence. Chinese officials argue that U.S. arms sales are driven by its military‑industrial complex rather than strategic necessity.