Australia and Japan have issued a joint statement criticizing Beijing's actions in the South China Sea, calling them dangerous. Coast Guard ships from these countries have clashed in the waters.
“We express our sincere concerns about recent developments in the South China Sea, including China's intensification of dangerous and threatening actions against the Philippines, which have occurred on numerous occasions,” the authorities said in a joint statement. Japan and Australia following a meeting of their Foreign and Defence Ministers in Queenscliff.
Both countries said they would continue their efforts to include Japan in the AUKUS security alliance, which includes Australia, USA and Great Britain.
Disputes in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is considered one of the most troublesome points in East Asia. China They consider almost the entire water area as their territory and are in dispute with a number of other countries, including Philippinesabout its individual areas.
The situation in Southeast AsiaMaciej Zieliński/PAP
In 2016, the International Court of Arbitration ruled that China's claims had no basis in international law, but Beijing rejected the decision.
The Sabina Bank, which the Chinese call Xianbin, lies about 120 kilometers off the Philippine island of Palawan. Manila has accused Beijing of trying to build an artificial island there, destroying the coral in the process. Chinese authorities deny this.
Chinese Coast Guard Attacks Philippine Ship, 2023 PhotoFacebook/Philippine Coast Guard
Main image source: Facebook/Philippine Coast Guard