China Criticizes Japanese Foreign Minister by Name; Japanese Embassy in China Reaffirms Position on South China Sea Arbitration

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, December 12 — Comprehensive foreign report) A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs today strongly criticized Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's remarks on the South China Sea issue, stating that his comments 'attack China's legitimate claims and wrongly assert that Japan is a stakeholder in the South China Sea issue,' and that China 'firmly opposes and strongly condemns' such statements.

According to reports from NHK, the Nikkei, the Yomiuri Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun, Foreign Minister Motegi today made statements criticizing China's refusal to accept the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China has completely rejected the ruling, calling it 'illegal, non-binding, and worthless paper.' In response to Motegi's criticism, China's Foreign Ministry countered: 'Japan is not a party to the South China Sea disputes and has no right to comment on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.'

In addition, Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, summoned Koichi Yokochi, Chief Minister at the Japanese Embassy in China, today and lodged a formal protest. The Japanese Embassy in China stated that Yokochi explained Japan's government position on-site and rebutted China's claims.

Yokochi also conveyed Japan's stance regarding China's export control measures and strongly urged China to make 'appropriate responses.'

A joint statement marking the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration ruling was issued by the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The statement reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a free, open, peaceful, and stable Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law. It emphasized that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and that the 2016 arbitration ruling is final and legally binding on both China and the Philippines.

In addition to reaffirming the legal binding force of the ruling, the statement directly targeted China, opposing the use of coast guards, military forces, and maritime militias by 'certain countries' to harass, obstruct, or intimidate the legitimate maritime or aerial activities of other nations. It urged all relevant parties to comply with the 2016 arbitration ruling and peacefully resolve disputes through dialogue and other legal mechanisms in accordance with international law. (Translation: Li Jing) 1150713