During a meeting in Washington, DC, the leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States emphasized the importance of adhering to maritime law, particularly in the South China Sea. They expressed deep concern over China’s actions in the disputed region, which have escalated tensions with countries like the Philippines.
Last month, a confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal left Filipino soldiers injured and vessels damaged, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos to announce that Manila would take countermeasures against China. The joint statement issued at the summit denounced China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea and reiterated the importance of respecting the sovereign rights of states within their exclusive economic zones as outlined in the UNCLOS.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its disputed nine-dash line, a claim rejected by an international court in 2016. The Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam, also claim parts of the sea. The leaders also condemned China’s use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the region.
Second Thomas Shoal, located within the Philippines’ EEZ, has been the site of multiple conflicts between China and Manila. The shoal is more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s Hainan island, further highlighting the disputed nature of the region.