Chinese expert criticizes Filipino FM's claim that Japan-Philippines delimitation 'nothing to do' with China, warns move serves ulterior purposes beyond bilateral talks

Philippines' Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro delivers a speech at the Nikkei Forum at a hotel in Tokyo on June 10, 2026. Photo: VCGIn response to the Philippine foreign minister's claim that its boundary discussions with Japan "have nothing to do" with China, a Chinese expert on Thursday said the so‑called Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks concern an area east of China's Taiwan island and contradict international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The expert noted the move carries ulterior purposes beyond bilateral discussions.Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro said that establishing clear maritime boundaries between the Philippines and Japan is of vital importance to the country's national defense in an interview on Wednesday.China has criticized such negotiations, while Lazaro claimed the discussion "has nothing to do with them" and "just between the Philippines and Japan." She added, "We should continue with our delimitation talks," even if China keeps objecting or increases pressure, Nikkei Asia reported.Lazaro also expressed so-called concern over increasing activities by Chinese vessels in waters close to the Taiwan island, per the outlet. Ding Duo, Director of the Research Center for International and Regional Issues at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday that Lazaro's words constitute three violations.First, it violated the international law, in particular the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which stipulated, in simple words, that "bilateral treaty does not create obligations or rights for a third State." If the Philippines and Japan reach any agreement regardless of China interests, that constitute a violation, Ding said. Second, such discussions ran counter to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which stipulated equity in maritime boundary delimitation. Based on this principle, given that the delimitat...