Jun 11, 2026

In response to the Philippine foreign minister's claim that its boundary discussions with Japan "have nothing to do" with China, a Chinese expert on Thursday said the so‑called Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks concern an area east of China's Taiwan island and contradict international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The expert noted the move carries ulterior purposes beyond bilateral discussions.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro said that establishing clear maritime boundaries between the Philippines and Japan is of vital importance to the country's national defense in an interview on Wednesday.

China has criticized such negotiations, while Lazaro claimed the discussion "has nothing to do with them" and "just between the Philippines and Japan." She added, "We should continue with our delimitation talks," even if China keeps objecting or increases pressure, Nikkei Asia reported.

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