Japan PM Kishida: South China Sea is not governed by force

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday that the South China Sea is governed by law and order, not by force.

Kishida made the statement during his speech before a special joint session of Philippine Congress, saying that a trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines and the United States is already underway to protect freedom of the sea (navigation) in the South China Sea, part of which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea.

“In order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, multi-layered cooperation among allies and like-minded countries is crucial. In September, President [Ferdinand] Marcos, [Jr.] US Vice President [Kamala] Harris, and I exchanged views for the first time and confirmed to enhance cooperation,” Kishida said.

“In addition to the participation of Japan's Self-Defense Forces in the joint US-Philippines [Balikatan] exercises held last month, the first joint exercise by the coast guard agencies of the three countries was held in June this year. Through these efforts, let us protect the maritime order, which is governed by laws and rules, not by force,” Kishida added.

The Philippines and Japan both have sea disputes with China, with China claiming sovereignty on islands located in the Philippines and Japan’s exclusive economic zones (EEZ) as provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (200 nautical miles off territorial sea). Both countries have also consistently protested China's aggression against Philippine vessels and Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.

“Japan will continue to contribute to the enhancement of the Philippines' security capabilities, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability,” Kishida pointed out.

“Furthermore, we concurred with President Marcos to commence formal negotiations on a Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement (RAA). Japan intends to further deepen strategic cooperation with the Philippines in the future,” he added.

Kishida then stressed that Japan and the Philippines are committed to stand united against those who violate rules-based order to ensure human dignity of the people.

“The international order based on the rule of law that we have taken for granted is under serious threat. The international community is also facing complex and interrelated challenges such as  climate change and infectious diseases. Under these circumstances, we cannot afford to have the world be divided based on ideologies and values,”Kishida said.

“In order for everyone to live with dignity, it is essential to build a peaceful and stable world. From this standpoint, I confirmed with President Marcos during his visit to Japan  in February that we would work together to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law,” added Kishida.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration already ruled in July 2016 that the 200 nautical miles off territorial sea of the Philippines is its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Further, the Hague ruling upheld that the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are all within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone as provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas.

The same 2016 Hague court decision outlawed China’s aggression against Philippine vessels, including preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal on top of junking China’s expansive claim of having sovereignty over the entirety of South China Sea.

China, however, has refused to recognize the said Hague ruling to this day. —KG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News