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Alyssa Chen

China’s embassy in Manila has accused a Tokyo envoy of making “irresponsible remarks” over collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels near a disputed South China Sea shoal.
“Every time there is an incident in the South China Sea, the Japanese ambassador to the Philippines is quick to make high-profile statements that ignore the facts and wrongly blame China,” the embassy said on Thursday morning.
In a diplomatic note sent to the Japanese embassy in Manila, Beijing accused Tokyo of rushing to make malicious accusations against China.
“The peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region are hard won and must be cherished by all regional countries,” Beijing said.
“We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its history, reconsider its actions, and contribute more to regional peace and stability, striving to become a truly independent and trustworthy nation.”


The comments followed Japanese ambassador Kazuya Endo’s concerns on the weekend about the second collision in less than a week between Chinese and Philippine vessels near Sabina Shoal.
Endo said on Sunday that the confrontation was an “unacceptable development” in the area and that countries must uphold a rules-based international order.
“Any harassment and actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated,” he said on X, in a post apparently directed at China.
A day earlier, Manila accused Beijing of launching flares from its militarised island in Subi Reef when a Philippines military aircraft conducted a routine patrol last week.
Manila also said the same aircraft faced harassment near Scarborough Shoal from a Chinese fighter jet, which made “irresponsible and dangerous manoeuvres” and deployed flares in close range multiple times.
Endo said the incident undermined “the safety of the Philippines’ activities”.


China and the Philippines have both laid claim to numerous maritime features and areas in the strategic waterway, with tensions intensifying over increasingly frequent maritime clashes.
In another confrontation on Monday, Beijing claimed it implemented “control measures” against two Philippine ships illegally entering waters near Sabina Shoal.
Manila rejected Beijing’s claim, saying that the Chinese vessels used “excessive force”, deploying 40 ships, including three PLA Navy warships, to obstruct humanitarian missions being conducted by two Philippine coastguard vessels.
Manila has stepped up coordination with its treaty ally the United States and other regional powers to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
One measure has been to invite the media aboard its vessels to record Beijing’s activities in the region and focus international scrutiny on those actions.
Countries including the US, Japan and Australia have frequently raised alarm about China’s maritime endeavours amid confrontations between Beijing and Manila.
In its statement on Thursday, the Chinese embassy in Manila also criticised Tokyo for exercising a “double standard” in international law, citing its release of treated radioactive waste water, as well as its attempt to extend its claim to waters near Okinotori Reef in the Philippine Sea.
Beijing was concerned that Tokyo’s 2022 claim was for a reef that only had a surface area of less than 10 square metres (108 square feet) above water at high tide, adding that Japan was using the reef to assert jurisdiction over nearly 700,000 sq km (270,272 square miles) of surrounding waters.


China’s advanced Z-20 helicopter model spotted on coastguard ship in ‘second navy’ boost

Temperatures in Hong Kong to drop to 12 degrees Celsius on Sunday

Chinese coastguard expels Philippine aircraft from Scarborough Shoal airspace

China’s defence minister in Vietnam on first overseas trip since shaking off corruption claims

South China Sea

South China Sea: Beijing’s embassy in Manila condemns Japan’s ‘irresponsible remarks’

South China Sea powder keg: trio of China-Philippines clashes in 5 days stokes alarm

A Chinese coastguard ship is seen from a Philippine vessel during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AFP

A Chinese air force fighter jet deploys flares near a Philippine BFAR plane near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on August 19. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP

Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro has said the Philippines must “get used to these kinds of acts from China”. Photo: Reuters

Global Impact: China warns of infringing on its sovereignty, Philippines plans first submarine as South China Sea tensions continue

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we attempt to keep up with the ever-evolving tensions in the South China Sea following a busy time in the disputed waterway. Photo: AP

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Photo: AP

Illustration: Henry Wong

Photo: Reuters

Photo: AFP

South China Sea: US condemns ‘aggressive’ Chinese actions, ‘stands with’ the Philippines

Chinese coastguard vessels sail near a Philippine Coast Guard ship said to be on a supply mission to Sabina Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Monday. Photo: AFP

News

China

Diplomacy

After Tokyo envoy’s comments about recent clashes at Sabina Shoal, China urges Japan to reflect on its history and become a ‘trustworthy nation’


After Tokyo envoy’s comments about recent clashes at Sabina Shoal, China urges Japan to reflect on its history and become a ‘trustworthy nation’.
