Latest news with #UNCLOS
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Japan Watches Economic Waters Amid China's Growing Presence
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan is enhancing its surveying capabilities in its vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by upgrading an unmanned deep-sea probe and building a new mother ship to carry submersibles. The enhancements come as Japan's powerful neighbor China expands the presence of research vessels in the region. When asked for comment, Japan's consulate-general in Hong Kong referred Newsweek to a Japanese coast guard document, which said one of its missions was to guard the EEZ against foreign vessels conducting research activities without Japan's prior consent or agreement. In its response to Newsweek, the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., cited an earlier comment by the country's Foreign Ministry, which questioned Japan's claim of an EEZ around a reef and said China's ships were exercising the freedom of the high seas. What Is an EEZ? The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an international treaty establishing the legal framework for order in oceans and seas, defines the EEZ as a maritime area extending up to 230 miles from the coastline and lying beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea, which under the treaty extends no more than 13.8 miles from the coastline. Japan's EEZ covers about 1.56 million square miles, compared with its land area of about 146,718 square miles. Tokyo said the EEZ was "indispensable" to Japan, allowing it to "exclusively develop valuable marine energy and mineral resources and exploit aquatic resources." According to UNCLOS, a coastal state has sovereign rights to "explore, exploit, conserve and manage" natural resources and jurisdiction over "marine scientific research" in the EEZ. Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore, told Newsweek on Monday that "surveying activities" would be assumed to fall under the term marine scientific research. States seeking to conduct such activities must obtain prior permission from the relevant coastal state before carrying them out, he added. What To Know The Japanese government has decided to construct a new mother ship for carrying multiple manned and unmanned deep-sea probes, local media reported in July. Scheduled for completion in the 2030s, it would replace the current, aging mother ship, the Yokosuka—which was built more than three decades ago—to conduct "efficient surveys" of seabed resources. In late July, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology announced that its unmanned deep-sea probe, the Urashima, reached a depth of 26,246 feet during a recent trial in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, which lies south of Japan in the western Pacific. The probe has been upgraded for deeper dives, enabling it to reach the deepest parts of Japan's EEZ. In this photo provided by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology on July 30, the unmanned deep-sea probe Urashima conducts a trial in the Pacific Ocean. In this photo provided by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology on July 30, the unmanned deep-sea probe Urashima conducts a trial in the Pacific Ocean. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology Japanese media noted that half of Japan's EEZ has a depth of more than 13,123 feet, with many areas exceeding 19,685 feet. Hence, deep-sea exploration is essential for mining rare earths. Interest in rare earths—comprising 15 lanthanides and scandium and yttrium, which are critical for modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence—is rising amid trade disputes between the U.S. and China. China holds the world's largest rare earth reserves at 44 million metric tons and produces 70 percent of the global supply. China's Challenge While Japan is overcoming technological difficulties in developing natural resources in its EEZ, China poses a challenge for Tokyo in protecting its economic waters across the western Pacific. As of Tuesday, three Chinese oceanographic research ships had been detected conducting research activities in the EEZ without Japan's consent since January. Regarding Chinese research activities in Japan's EEZ, Koh said the same set of marine scientific research data would be useful not only for advancing scientific knowledge and commercial applications—such as minerals—but also for military operations. Chinese research vessel R/V Tan Kah Kee transits near Japan's Okinotorishima island in the Pacific Ocean on May 26. Chinese research vessel R/V Tan Kah Kee transits near Japan's Okinotorishima island in the Pacific Ocean on May 26. Japan Coast Guard In areas known to contain seabed resources, these activities could be intended to prospect marine economic data that supports follow-on extractive operations, the analyst said. For military applications, the gathered data could be used to create "undersea domain awareness" for planning submarine and anti-submarine warfare operations, he added. Japan is a key United States security ally in restricting China's military activities in the event of war in the western Pacific. It forms part of the first island chain—along with Taiwan and the Philippines—a north-south defensive line under a U.S. maritime containment strategy. While Japan operates one of Asia's—and the world's—most advanced and best resourced maritime forces, the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the coast guard, it faces a challenge in the type of response it can make to unauthorized foreign activities in the EEZ, according to Koh. "Besides keeping tabs on and issuing audio and visual challenge, Japan's maritime forces couldn't possibly 'expel' the transgressing foreign vessel in a forceful manner without potentially triggering a diplomatic incident or worse, an escalatory armed clash," he said. The Japan coast guard patrol vessel Akitsushima takes part in a joint drill with the Philippine and United States coast guards in the South China Sea off the Philippines' Luzon island on June 6, 2023. The Japan coast guard patrol vessel Akitsushima takes part in a joint drill with the Philippine and United States coast guards in the South China Sea off the Philippines' Luzon island on June 6, 2023. Kyodo via AP Images Last year, Hidden Reach, an initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, issued a report identifying a total of 64 Chinese research and survey vessels active between 2020 and 2023, making it the largest fleet of civilian research vessels in the world. Many of these vessels are operated by state-affiliated organizations with close ties to the Chinese military, while some have surveyed foreign EEZs without prior approval, the report said, warning that "the line between its civilian and military research is heavily blurred." What People Are Saying Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, told Newsweek: "But there's a gray area here that's yet to be resolved: what about such oceanographic research and hydrographic survey activities carried out by military actors? This was a bugbear most prominently highlighted in the case of the U.S. naval surveillance activities in Chinese EEZ in particular." A 2025 Japanese coast guard document said: "In accordance with international law and domestic law, the [Japanese coast guard] conducts day-and-night surveillance and vigilance against foreign official vessels, oceanographic research vessels as well as illegal fishing by foreign fishing vessels." What Happens Next China is likely to continue sending research ships into Japan's EEZ despite Tokyo's protests. It remains to be seen how the Japanese coast guard will enhance its monitoring of the country's economic waters, including through cooperation with the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
US deploys warships to disputed South China Sea shoal
The United States has deployed two warships in a disputed South China Sea shoal where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine ship in a high-seas accident that raised alarms about maritime safety. Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay overlapping claims in the contested waters. The USS Higgins, a guided missile destroyer, and USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, were shadowed by a Chinese navy ship while sailing about 55km from the Scarborough Shoal. Australia is seriously concerned by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard. This incident highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law, particularly UNCLOS. Australian Embassy in the Philippines (@AusAmbPH) August 13, 2025 There were no reports of any untoward incident, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said, citing information from US officials and a Philippine surveillance flight. The US navy has staged what it calls freedom-of-navigation voyages and overflights in the South China Sea for years to challenge China's restrictions and its demand for entry notifications in virtually the entire stretch of the disputed waters that it claims. That has angered China and its forces have had close runs-in with US warships and aircraft on such patrols in international waters and airspace. The deployment happened after US ambassador to the Phillipines MaryKay Carlson on Tuesday condemned "the latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel" in Scarborough. The rich fishing atoll off the northwestern Philippines has been the scene of increasingly tense confrontations between the Chinese and Philippine coast guard, fishing and other ships in recent years. The Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the US in Asia. The US has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. On Monday, a Chinese navy destroyer and a Chinese coast guard ship accidentally collided while trying to block and drive away a smaller Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Suluan, about 19km from Scarborough. Video footages made public by the Philippine coast guard show the Chinese coast guard ship blasting its powerful water cannon and a number of Chinese personnel standing at the bow shortly before that section was hit by the fast-turning Chinese navy ship. Shortly after the collision, the video shows the heavily shattered bow of the Chinese coast guard ship without the Chinese personnel, who were standing on deck before the crash. The Chinese navy ship sustained deep dents and what appeared to be linear gushes on its hull. Japan, Australia and New Zealand expressed alarm on Wednesday over the dangerous manoeuvres that led to the collision in the busy waters, a key global trade route. "Japan upholds the rule of law and opposes any actions which increase tensions. Our concern goes to the repeated actions in the South China Sea," Japanese ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya said in a post on X. The Australian embassy in Manila expressed concern "by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard," saying in a statement the incident "highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law". "This is a learning experience for the People's Republic of China," Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard commodore, told a news conference in Manila. "For so many years, we have been reminding them to stop dangerous maneuvers, to stop risky blockings, to adhere to the (anti-)collision regulations because if there is a very high chance of miscalculation, this kind of collision incident would happen." Tarriela spoke a few hours after a Chinese fighter jet flew as close as 150 metres to try to drive away a Philippine coast guard plane on a surveillance flight on Wednesday over the Scarborough with invited journalists on board. The Chinese jet carried out dangerous manoeuvrers for about 20 minutes, including flying about 60 metres above the small Philippine aircraft, Tarriela said.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
'Sovereignty violated, security undermined': China fumes after USS Higgins destroyer 'intrudes' into South China Sea
China has accused the United States of violating its sovereignty and undermining its security after a US warship entered the waters off the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which China claims and calls Huangyan Island. The international community largely recognises the Philippines' claim on the island. The photograph shows the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins conducting an independent deployer certification exercise off the coast of Southern California on April 30, 2015. (Photo: US Navy) China on Wednesday said that a US warship violated its sovereignty and undermined its security by 'intruding' into its territorial waters in the South China Sea. China said that USS Higgins, a destroyer part of the Japan-headquartered 7th Fleet of the US Navy, intruded into its territorial waters off the 'Huangyan Island' and was driven by Chinese navy. The United States has rejected the accusation. The navy mobilised forces to monitor, track, warn, and drive away USS Higgins, spokesperson Senior Colonel He Tiesheng said in a statement in in Chinese. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Huangyan Island' is what China calls the Scarborough Shoal, which is disputed between China and the Philippines. Much of the international community, including the United States and India, has recognised the Philippines' claim to the island, which considers it to be a part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 'The path of the US warship seriously violated China's sovereignty and security, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, and contravened basic principles of international law and international relations. The Southern Theater Command Navy will maintain high alert at all times, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability,' the Chinese statement further said. US rejects China's charge The United States has rejected China's version of events and the accusation and said USS Higgins was sailing in line with the international law. The USS Higgins was conducting a 'freedom of navigation operation' in accordance with international law, Sarah Merrill, a spokesperson for the 7th Fleet, told CNBC. 'China's statement about this mission is false…The United States is defending its right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, as USS Higgins did here. Nothing China says otherwise will deter us,' Merrill further said. World rejects China's claims on Scarborough Shoal China lays claim to Scarborough Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, as part of its broader claims to nearly the entire South China Sea on the basis of its self-claimed maritime border based on self-written 'nine dash lines'. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) rejected Chinese claims to the South China Sea and the Scarborough Shoal in 2016 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The PCA ruled that there was no legal basis to 'nine dash lines' and territorial claims arising from it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The PCA further held that China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights in its EEZ by interfering with fishing and petroleum exploration and building artificial islands. The United States, India, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) have supported the PCA ruling, essentially supporting the Philippines' claim on Scarborough Shoal.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
India reaffirms commitment to free and open maritime order at UNSC
At a high-level UN Security Council debate on maritime security held in New York, India strongly reaffirmed its commitment to a free, open and rules-based maritime order, grounded in international law and guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The debate, chaired by the Permanent Mission of Panama, brought together global stakeholders to address pressing challenges in maritime governance and security. Addressing the session, Tanmaya Lal, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Secretary (West), spoke of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) -India's vision for maritime security, outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also congratulated Panama for taking over the Presidency of the UN Security Council for August. Emphasising the critical importance of sea routes for global trade, energy supplies, communication cables, the traditional and non-traditional threats, and India's longstanding maritime tradition, Lal stated that India, as one of the world's largest economies, has strong stakes and interests in maritime security. 'India, with a coastline of more than 11,000 km and nearly 1,300 offshore islands and islets, has an Exclusive Economic Zone spread over nearly 2.3 million sq km. India shares maritime boundaries with 7 nations. There are 12 major ports, 200 smaller ports, and nearly 30 shipyards on the Indian coast, continuing the longstanding shipbuilding tradition. India is also the third largest supplier of seafarers to the global maritime industry,' he noted. He stated that a large section of the Indian population resides close to the coasts and millions of Indians derive their livelihood from the ocean economy. Lal highlighted that the scale of maritime safety and security challenges, as well as the urgent importance of economic stability and environmental sustainability concerns, is huge for India. 'India is a founding member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), and is an observer at the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). We also engage with a range of partners at other formats such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC), Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities (CGIMA), and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical & Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC),' the MEA official emphasised. 'Operational coordination is achieved through working groups and exercises like Coordinated Patrols (CORPATs), Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), ASEAN-India Maritime exercises, exercise MILAN hosted by India, IONS Chiefs Conclave and exercise Malabar. India and the EU have conducted joint naval activities in the Gulf of Guinea to reinforce maritime security,' he added. Lal further stated that in a unique initiative, an Indian Naval Ship, recently served as an Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, sailed with nearly 50 crew from 9 partner countries of the Indian Ocean Region, undertaking joint maritime security activities. India's ongoing work on a Deep Ocean Mission, Lal said, will contribute to the understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, facilitating sustainable fisheries and biodiversity conservation. He called for genuine international cooperation to address the collective challenges to maritime security and prosperity, adding that as a responsible maritime power, India stands ready to continue contributing to these joint efforts.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia calls for restraint to prevent escalation of South China Sea tensions
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on all parties involved in the South China Sea dispute to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate tensions in the region. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that, with regard to the geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, Malaysia has consistently adhered to the principle of peaceful resolution based on international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. "We emphasise that all parties should exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate tensions. "Malaysia is also actively involved in efforts to finalise an effective and legally binding Code of Conduct (COC), which is an important instrument for managing and peacefully resolving disputes," he said in a parliamentary written reply. Mohamad said this in response to Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong), who enquired about the initiatives currently being taken by Malaysia to strengthen Asean's role as an effective regional bloc, particularly in addressing critical issues such as the humanitarian and political crisis in Myanmar, geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, and regional cooperation in tackling the impacts of climate change. Last week, Mohamad had said that every action the government takes regarding the South China Sea issue is based on thorough and strategic consideration, and that Malaysia's sovereignty, sovereign rights , and national interests will not be compromised. He said matters related to the South China Sea are complex and sensitive and must be approached with great caution and diligence. In terms of the crisis in Myanmar, Mohamad said Malaysia remains firmly committed to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as the primary reference and that its implementation must continue to be strengthened. He also said that as the Asean Chair, Malaysia has undertaken various initiatives to assist Myanmar in addressing the increasingly worrying crisis. This includes conducting continuous engagements with all relevant stakeholders to encourage inclusive political dialogue and to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered without discrimination through the Asean Chair's special envoy to Myanmar. He added that to date, Malaysia has also contributed humanitarian aid amounting to USD200,000 as a one-off donation in December 2024, and RM10 million (USD2.3 million) in March this year following the earthquake in Myanmar, bringing the total contribution to USD2.5 million. "Malaysia will continue to strengthen its role by utilising the Asean Troika mechanism to ensure the continuity of efforts and foundations established by the country this year are carried forward by next year's Asean Chair, the Philippines. "Asean dialogue partners have also given their full support to Malaysia and Asean in this regard. "Malaysia urges all parties to use their influence to press for an immediate end to the violence. Malaysia also expresses concern over the planned elections in Myanmar at the end of 2025, as any non-inclusive elections risk exacerbating the existing conflict." In May this year, Mohamad said Asean Foreign Ministers have agreed that continuous engagement with conflicting parties in Myanmar is necessary to address the ongoing crisis in the country. He said while the 5PC was agreed upon by Asean to address the crisis, the key challenge lies in the trust deficit between the various parties in Myanmar.
