China protests Japan‑Philippines maritime talks and expels Chinese vessels near Taiwan

Japan and the Philippines announced joint negotiations to delimit their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in waters east of Taiwan, invoking the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China denounced the talks as illegal, arguing that any discussion without Beijing’s participation violates international law and threatens its sovereign maritime rights. Chinese foreign and defence ministries warned that Japan and the Philippines must cease the “illegal, provocative” actions and said China would take “resolute and forceful measures” to protect its interests.

Separately, Taiwan’s Coast Guard expelled four Chinese vessels that entered restricted waters south of the island. The Chinese ships, three of them coast‑guard vessels, were ordered away after Taiwan deployed seven patrol boats. Taiwan’s officials asserted that China has no sovereign rights in the area and warned of international sanctions if the impasse escalates. The incidents reflect rising tensions over maritime boundaries in the South and East China Seas, where China, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan have overlapping claims.