China hits Japan for speaking up on West Philippine Sea tensions

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday lashed out at its Japanese counterpart over the latter's statement regarding "tensions" in the South China Sea, not long after dozens of Chinese vessels were reported moored at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) in the West Philippine Sea.

"China, as a littoral state of the SCS, is committed to managing differences through bilateral consultations and safeguarding peace and stability in the region. Within our region tensions are rising because some external countries are bent on playing fusty geopolitical games," the Chinese Embassy said on Twitter.

China, as a littoral state of the SCS, is committed to managing differences through bilateral consultations and safeguarding peace and stability in the region. Within our region tensions are rising because some external countries are bent on playing fusty geopolitical games. https://t.co/Fkab3nvv0V

— ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) March 24, 2021

China was reacting to Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines Kazihuko Koshikawa's tweet "strongly opposing" any action that heightens tensions in the South China Sea.

"The South China Sea issues are directly related to peace & stability and a concern for all. Japan strongly opposes any action that heightens tensions. We support the enforcement of #RuleOfLaw in the sea & work with the int'l community to protect the free, open, and peaceful seas," Koshikawa said on Tuesday.

The South China Sea issues are directly related to peace & stability and a concern for all. Japan strongly opposes any action that heightens tensions. We support the enforcement of #RuleOfLaw in the sea & work with the int'l community to protect the free, open, and peaceful seas.

— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) March 23, 2021

China also brought up Japan's own territorial dispute with the rising superpower, with the two nations claiming ownership of a group of islands known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

"It is a pity that some Asian country, which has disputes with China in the East China Sea and is driven by the selfish aim to check China's revitalization, willingly stoops to acting as a strategic vassal of the US," the Chinese embassy said.

"Such despicable behavior is inviting the wolf into the house, betraying the collective interests of the whole region and doomed to fail," it added.

Prior to its strong remarks against Japan, China also sent a message to the US, saying it has no role in the South China Sea concerns. 

The American government, meanwhile, said it stands by the Philippines' concerns over the Chinese maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea.

Australia has also spoken up about the issue, with Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson raising his concern about destabilizing activities at the disputed West Philippine Sea.

"Australia supports an #IndoPacific region which is secure open and inclusive. The South China Sea – a crucial international waterway – is governed by international rules and norms, particularly UNCLOS. We remain concerned about destabilising actions that could provoke escalation," he said in a tweet.

Australia supports an #IndoPacific region which is secure open and inclusive. The South China Sea – a crucial international waterway – is governed by international rules and norms, particularly UNCLOS. We remain concerned about destabilising actions that could provoke escalation.

— Steven J. Robinson AO (@AusAmbPH) March 24, 2021

 — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News