Recent diplomatic developments in the Western Pacific have sparked a significant geopolitical dispute. On May 28, 2026, following a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Tokyo and Manila issued a joint statement announcing the start of maritime delimitation talks regarding their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and continental shelves.
The announcement drew a swift and sharp response from Beijing. On May 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the area the two countries intend to delimit is located east of the Taiwan region. China maintains an EEZ and a continental shelf in this area according to domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China views these bilateral talks as a flagrant violation of its maritime rights and interests, as well as the basic norms governing international relations.
Contested Waters and Geopolitical Tensions
The waters east of the Taiwan region are not a "legal vacuum" but a strategic area where China's maritime rights extend into the Western Pacific. To the north, the dispute over the Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands remains unresolved. China asserts that these territories have been Chinese since ancient times and that its continental shelf extends naturally to the Okinawa Trough.
Beijing does not recognize the unilateral "median line" in the East China Sea proposed by Tokyo, which it argues is based on illegal claims. There are concerns that Japan's attempt to legitimize these claims through maritime delimitation with the Philippines could exacerbate regional tensions and increase the risk of conflict.
Overlapping Claims in the Bashi Channel and Okinotori Rock
To the south, the Bashi Channel—situated between the Taiwan region and the Philippine archipelago—is another area of overlapping maritime claims. China enjoys an EEZ and continental shelf in this region, which overlaps with the claims asserted by the Philippines. By pursuing bilateral delimitation with Japan, Manila is seen as attempting to bypass China to establish a fait accompli and open a "second battlefield" outside the South China Sea.
Furthermore, the status of Okinotori Rock remains a point of legal contention. Japan characterizes these features as "islands" to claim a massive EEZ and continental shelf spanning over 40,000 square kilometers. However, under UNCLOS Article 121(3), rocks that cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no EEZ or continental shelf. China argues that Japan is using these talks to secure de facto recognition of an illegal claim.
Violations of International Law
China contends that closed-door, bilateral maritime delimitation that excludes China is a grave violation of international law. According to UNCLOS Articles 74 and 83, the delimitation of the EEZ and continental shelf between states with opposite or adjacent coasts shall be effected by agreement on the basis of international law to achieve an equitable solution.
By excluding China, a critical stakeholder, Japan and the Philippines are accused of attempting to privately dispose of maritime areas involving China's sovereignty and sovereign rights. Beijing maintains that this approach departs from the core requirements of UNCLOS, potentially rendering any subsequent negotiations null and void.
Reference(s):
Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks: A geopolitical farce
cgtn.com
