China has raised objections to maritime boundary talks between Japan and the Philippines, asserting that the negotiations disregard its interests and violate international law. The two countries agreed in May to begin formal discussions to delimit their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelf boundaries in waters east of Taiwan, an area where claims overlap and which Beijing considers sensitive due to its territorial stance on Taiwan.

The China Institute for Marine Affairs, affiliated with China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, issued a legal opinion condemning the talks. It stated that the bilateral agreement was reached without China’s consultation and infringes on principles of sovereign equality, cooperation, and good faith under international law. The institute warned that China reserves the right to hold Japan and the Philippines accountable for what it termed “internationally wrongful acts,” and urged both countries to halt their negotiations and instead engage directly with Beijing.

Japan and the Philippines emphasized that their talks are intended to enhance legal certainty in the region and conform with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They stressed the legitimacy of their claim to EEZs extending up to 200 nautical miles from their coasts, despite not sharing a land border. The precise geographic scope of their negotiations was not publicly specified, but concerns stem from overlapping claims involving Taiwan’s maritime zones and Japan’s Okinotori atoll. Beijing contests Japan’s claim to an EEZ around Okinotori, arguing that the atoll fails to meet the criteria for island status under UNCLOS.

China’s objections come amid increased maritime activity in the region, including deployment of coastguard vessels east of Taiwan—which the Chinese government describes as law enforcement patrols—and military drills in adjacent waters. These developments have prompted concerns about potential disruptions to key shipping lanes and heightened tensions over Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway province to be reunified by force if necessary. Taiwan’s government has rejected China’s right to comment on its maritime affairs and has praised Japan and the Philippines for resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue based on international law.

The regional maritime dispute underscores broader geopolitical rivalries involving China, Japan, the Philippines, and other stakeholders. Analysts view the Japan-Philippines talks as part of efforts to counterbalance China’s expansive claims throughout the East and South China seas. In 2024, Japan and the Philippines also signed a reciprocal access agreement allowing their militaries to conduct joint training and exercises, further signaling deepening cooperation.

While Beijing urges other countries to refrain from supporting the boundary negotiations due to their legal and political risks, Japan and the Philippines maintain that their approach respects established international frameworks and aims to promote stability and clarity in contested maritime zones.