China Foreign Affairs Ministry said today Japan has no right to make inappropriate comments regarding the West Philippine Sea issue. The statement from the Chinese ministry came after Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly said he will be bringing topics on West Philippine Sea issue, specifically freedom of navigation and rule of law, to upcoming regional meetings.
Three major regional and group meetings between state heads are happening in the coming weeks. The 2015 G-20 summit will be held in Antalya, Turkey November 15, 16; the APEC leaders’ summit will be happening November 18, 19; while ASEAN summit, related meetings with partners and East Asia Summit will be held in Malaysia after the APEC summit.
“Japan has no right to make inappropriate remarks on the sovereignty of the Spratly Islands,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said. “Japan is not a party involved in the South China Sea issue.”
“We urge countries outside the region to watch their words and actions, and respect the efforts made by regional countries to maintain peace and stability of the South China Sea,” the Chinese spokesman added. “The construction activities by China on some islands and reefs of the Spratly Islands fall completely within the realm of China’s sovereignty, targeting and affecting no one. There is nothing disputable about that.”
US President Barack Obama is also expected to raise the said issue in meetings to be held in Malaysia. Obama and Abe are set to hold bilateral meeting at the sidelines of APEC event in Manila.
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