Japan says China’s actions obstruct freedom of navigation

MANILA, Philippines — The foreign ministry of Japan yesterday reiterated its serious concern over increasing tension at the West Philippine Sea (WPS), “repeated actions which obstruct freedom of navigation and increase regional tensions, including recent dangerous actions that resulted in damage to the Filipino vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard.”

Japan said it opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in (area),” citing the Joint Vision Statement from the Leaders of Japan, the Philippines and the United States in April 2024.

“Japan is concerned by unlawful maritime claims and steadfastly opposes the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea.”

The Japan foreign ministry also said they “highly appreciate the government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) regarding the South China Sea and shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

It reiterated that the arbitral award “is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Japan strongly hopes that the parties’ compliance with the award will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.”

Japan further stressed it will continue to cooperate with the international community such as ASEAN member-states and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the United States Department of Defense condemned China for an intentional high-speed ramming of Philippine resupply ships in WPS on Monday, citing risk of “bigger” and “more violent” confrontation.

The Pentagon said the collision between a Chinese vessel and the Philippines supply ship near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and injured Filipino sailors, with one severely injured is “very concerning.”

“This kind of behavior is provocative, it’s reckless, it’s unnecessary and as you highlight, it could lead to