G7 strongly opposes provocative actions in the East Sea

(Baonghean) - On April 11, the Foreign Ministers' Conference of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries issued a separate statement on maritime security in addition to the "Joint Statement of the Conference" and the "Hiroshima Declaration" to promote nuclear disarmament.

With strong language, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by Japan expressed a resolute stance on maritime security, especially in the East Sea and the East China Sea. This shows that maritime security in Asia has become a top concern of the world’s major powers.

Chinese dredging vessels illegally dredging and reclaiming land on Vanh Khan Reef in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago. (Source: Reuters)

resolute attitude

“Strongly oppose” is the most notable word in the Declaration on Maritime Security that the G7 foreign ministers agreed on April 11. Accordingly, the foreign ministers declared their strong opposition to all provocative actions in the East Sea and the East China Sea. These are two areas where China is entangled in disputes with countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan.

The statement also stressed: “We strongly oppose any coercive or provocative unilateral actions that risk altering the status quo and escalating tensions in these areas.”

In fact, a separate statement on maritime security was first issued at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in April last year. The G7 Summit in June also made this clear in its Joint Statement. And at this G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the issue of maritime security was once again mentioned.

In particular, it is easy to see a clear increase in style and vocabulary to express the concern of G7 countries for maritime security issues in the East Sea and the East China Sea.

Specifically, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting last year expressed concern over unilateral actions that increased tensions, including large-scale land reclamation that changed the status quo in the East Sea. However, just two months later, the G7 leaders at the Summit issued a statement resolutely opposing the use of intimidation, coercion, the use of force or unilateral actions that change the status quo at sea, such as the recent large-scale expansion of artificial islands in the East Sea. And the highest level of “strong opposition” was finally expressed at this G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

It is no coincidence that the issue of security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea and the East China Sea has become the focus of recent G7 Summits. Although there are no direct disputes, the G7 countries led by the US, Germany, France, etc. all clearly understand the geopolitical role of Asian seas, especially the East Sea. In particular, for the US, the administration of President Barack Obama has set a central goal of pivoting to the Asia-Pacific region during its two terms.

Therefore, any country - including China, if it has aggressive activities, increasing tensions, causing instability, security and maritime safety in the region will inevitably affect the economic interests of the G7 countries. And statements of opposition at G7 conferences are inevitable. For the US, it is also a strategic goal when the government of this country wants to compete for influence with China and create a new mark of the US in the leading dynamic development region, Asia - Pacific.

Foreign Ministers of G7 countries at the first session of the Conference. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Japanese mark

At this Foreign Ministers’ Conference, the strong stance in the statement on maritime security is also explained by the host country, Japan. Japan is a country directly involved in disputes with China in the East China Sea. According to the government of this country, once China’s aggressive actions become a precedent in the East Sea, it is possible that this country will apply it to the East China Sea as well. This is a scenario that Japan is always on guard against.

Next, public opinion is also witnessing a Japan with a foreign policy that has changed a lot since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office. In particular, the Abe administration cherishes the desire to expand relations in the region and the world with the leading front being "diplomacy - defense - security". That also means that a Japan that only knows about economy - production will be in the past. It shows that Prime Minister Abe has taken a historic step by reinterpreting Article 9 of the Constitution to expand the security - defense policies that have constrained Japan for many years.

Ultimately, Prime Minister Abe’s big goal is a new Asian security architecture, in which Japan plays an important part. And China is a major rival on this path of Prime Minister Abe.

Therefore, promoting a strong statement on maritime security issues targeting China at this conference is a necessary step by Prime Minister Abe, in preparation for the G7 Summit which will also be held in Japan at the end of May. This is also a strong warning to China if it continues to take aggressive actions that violate international law in the waters of the Asian region.

Although it continues to criticize and oppose the G7’s statements, perhaps the Beijing government feels isolated from the international community’s pressure on maritime security. And that an adjustment in its new maritime policy is what China needs to do at this time.

Phuong Hoa