China claims mining rights in the East China Sea

A photo of a Chinese drilling rig operating near disputed areas in the East China Sea - Photo: Japanese Foreign Ministry

On July 24, China declared that it has full rights to explore and exploit oil and gas in the East China Sea, including waters disputed with Japan.

Beijing does not recognize the demarcation line established by Japan at sea.

In a statement on July 24, the Chinese Foreign Ministry affirmed that their oil and gas exploration activities are not taking place in disputed waters and are “completely appropriate and legal.”

“China and Japan have not demarcated the maritime boundary in the East China Sea, and China does not recognize Japan's unilateral demarcation line,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Japan has previously called on China to stop building oil and gas rigs in the East China Sea in waters claimed by both countries over concerns that Chinese rigs will exploit oil wells located in Japanese territorial waters.

Patrol ships and aircraft from both countries have been a frequent presence in the area over the past few years, raising concerns of an unwanted clash.

Japan recently released aerial photos showing Chinese construction in the area. Tokyo said Beijing was carrying out such activities unilaterally and in a dishonest manner following a 2008 agreement to jointly develop resources in the sea.

Japan says China resumed exploration in the East China Sea two years ago.

In 2012, the Japanese government angered Beijing by purchasing the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands from private ownership.

Previously, China had been cautious in conducting oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities under a joint development agreement with Japan in disputed waters.

In a separate statement, China's Foreign Ministry said it was "extremely concerned" that Japan had hosted former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui, a radical separatist, on the island that China considers its own territory.

How China behaves in the South China Sea will determine its position on the international stage.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - Photo: visakanv.com

In a special interview with the American newspaper Time on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the country, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: China's behavior in the East Sea will position this country in the international arena.

"The general sentiment in China now is that because they are developing faster and becoming more prosperous, they must also become stronger... However, Beijing needs to balance the desire to maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries and protecting China's own interests in issues such as the East Sea dispute.

"In the East Sea issue, China wants to impose its will. But if they use strong force, there will be backlash," Mr. Ly commented.

In the long term, Mr. Ly believes that such dominance cannot be a sustainable basis for influence as a major power.

He also said that although Singapore has no claims in the East Sea, it has a practical interest in ensuring that disputes are resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.

(According to TTO)