TOKYO — Japan has lodged a protest with China after discovering what it says were efforts by Beijing to develop gas fields in disputed waters of the East China Sea.
Tokyo’s foreign ministry said on Monday night it had confirmed that Beijing was setting up drilling rigs in the area — where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) claims overlap — and submitted a complaint to the Chinese embassy., This news data comes from:http://cac-dj-as-qx.gyglfs.com
“It is extremely regrettable that China is advancing unilateral development,” the ministry said, adding that it had taken place on the Chinese side of the de facto maritime border.
The ministry accused China of positioning 21 suspected drilling rigs, with Tokyo fearing gas on the Japanese side could also be extracted.
Tokyo protests to Beijing over gas field in East China Sea
Japan “issued a strong protest” to the Chinese embassy, the ministry said.
Tokyo protests to Beijing over gas field in East China Sea
It “strongly urged China for an early resumption of talks on the implementation” of a 2008 bilateral agreement regarding the development of resources in the East China Sea, it added.
That agreement saw Japan and China agree to jointly develop undersea gas reserves in the disputed area, with a ban on independent drilling by either country.
But negotiations over how to implement the deal were suspended in 2010.
Japan has long insisted the median line between the two nations should mark the limits of their respective EEZs.
China, however, insists the border should be drawn closer to Japan, taking into account the continental shelf and other ocean features.
The two countries are embroiled in a separate row over disputed islands elsewhere in the East China Sea.
China claims the string of islands — which Japan refers to as the Senkakus and are known as the Diaoyu by Beijing — as its own, and regularly sends ships and aircraft into the area to test Tokyo’s response times.
China also has disputes with several other nations in the South China Sea, which it claims in its entirety.
- Legarda pushes Magna Carta of Waste Workers
- Prince Harry to visit UK on anniversary of queen's death
- Pag-IBIG Fund gives occupants 10% discount to legally buy acquired homes
- ‘God’s Influencer’ to become first millennial saint
- Australia expels Iran ambassador over antisemitic attacks
- North Korean leader inspects new missile factory ahead of visit to China
- Searchers retrieve bodies as Afghan quake toll seen to rise
- Lone bettor wins P386M in 6/58 Ultra lotto draw for Aug 22
- Malabon averts crisis with garbage deal
- 17 House lawmakers press Marcos administration to raise WPS issue to UN
