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The Chinese consulate maintained that the note was sent as a protest to Japan’s ‘irresponsible’ remarks over the South China Sea’s Sabina Shoal read more
 "In Philippines, China sends protest note to Japan over envoy’s Sabina shoal remark")
China Coast Guard ships are seen from the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra during a supply mission to Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Aug 26, 2024. File Image / AFP
Amid the brewing tensions in the South China Sea, China’s embassy in the Philippines on Thursday announced that it has sent a “diplomatic note” to the Japanese embassy in Manila. The Chinese consulate maintained that the note was sent as a protest to Japan’s “irresponsible” remarks over the South China Sea’s Sabina Shoal.
In the statement regarding the matter, the Chinese embassy emphasised that the comments displayed “ignorance of the facts and contained unwarranted accusations against China”. The remarks from Beijing came after Japan’s ambassador on Monday tweeted a video of a Chinese coastguard vessel under the words “another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal”.
What is Japan saying?
On Monday, the Japanese Ambassador to the Phillippines released a video of a Chinese coastguard vessel operating in the South China Sea. “Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated,” the Japanese envoy said in a statement shared by the official page of the embassy on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated. Upholding a rules-based int’l order and adhering to commitments must prevail. https://t.co/R33CJdr2Ni
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) August 25, 2024“Upholding a rules-based int’l order and adhering to commitments must prevail,” the statement further reads. A day after the post, Japan’s Ministry of External Affairs released a statement, raising similar concerns. “Japan expresses serious concern over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions in the South China Sea and urges de-escalation of the tensions,” The Japanese MFA stated in the statement released on Tuesday.
On August 27, Press Release regarding recent surge in tensions in the South China Sea was issued.https://t.co/8AMFXjgavt pic.twitter.com/y18aSbfIMi
— MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) August 27, 2024“The issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, and therefore Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea, including obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight,” the ministry added.
The ministry emphasised that Tokyo has been a consistent advocate when it comes to upholding the “rule of law at sea and will continue to cooperate with the international community including ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the rule of law.”
With inputs from Reuters.
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English (US) ·