Japan has formally protested China’s construction of a new structure in the East China Sea, accusing Beijing of unilateral development in a disputed maritime area.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced the protest on Monday, citing the installation west of the median line between the two nations.
This line, recognized by Japan as the maritime border under its domestic law, remains contested as China claims a broader exclusive economic zone.
The issue underscores ongoing tensions over undelimited maritime boundaries.
Kanai Masaaki, director-general of Japan’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, conveyed a “strong protest” to Shi Yong, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry expressed regret over China’s actions, noting that the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf boundaries in the region remain undefined.
Japan views China’s construction as a violation of cooperative principles, especially since talks on a 2008 agreement for joint resource development have been stalled since 2010.
Japan urged China to halt its activities and resume negotiations on the 2008 agreement, which aimed to facilitate joint exploitation of natural resources in the East China Sea.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the need for renewed dialogue during a Tuesday press conference, calling China’s actions “extremely regrettable.”
This protest follows similar objections raised by Japan in May and June over other Chinese installations.
China has yet to respond to the latest protest but has previously maintained that its activities occur in undisputed waters under its jurisdiction.