Beijing expert rejects Manila's claim that Japan sea boundary talks have no bearing on China

A Chinese expert has disputed Manila's position that ongoing maritime delimitation negotiations between the Philippines and Japan are unrelated to China, warning that the talks carry implications well beyond a straightforward bilateral boundary agreement.

The Philippine foreign minister had argued that the delimitation discussions with Tokyo were a matter strictly between the two countries and had nothing to do with Beijing. The Chinese expert rejected that characterisation, contending that the move serves broader strategic purposes that directly affect China's interests in the region.

The expert cautioned that framing the negotiations as purely bilateral obscures what are described as ulterior objectives, raising concern in Beijing about the strategic direction of closer Manila-Tokyo maritime cooperation.