• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Japan's EEZ claim based on Okinotori Reef violates intl law; has no right to interfere in Chinese research ship's operation: Chinese FM

Global Times

Expert says Japan's false claims driven by resources, geopolitical considerations

By Li Yawei Published: May 27, 2025 04:19 PM

When asked to comment on the presence of a Chinese maritime research ship in waters near Okinotori Reef, which the Japan Coast Guard claims as part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and thus Japanese side told the Chinese ship to stop its activities, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that according to UNCLOS, Okinotori is a reef, not an island. As such, it is not entitled to an EEZ or continental shelf. Expert said Tokyo is seeking to expand resource control by attempting to define reef as an "island."

The Japan Coast Guard claimed on Monday that it detected a Chinese maritime research ship engaging in activities in Japan's so-called exclusive economic zone near Okinotori Reef without obtaining prior consent from Tokyo, according to Japanese news outlet NHK.

Japan Coast Guard asserted that the ship was sailing while putting what appeared to be a wire into the ocean. It also claimed that it has warned research activities without obtaining consent from Japan cannot be allowed in the area, per NHK.

Mao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Tuesday that Japan's claim of an EEZ around the reef violates international law.

"China's research vessel was exercising the freedom of the high seas with regard to its activities in the waters, and Japan has no right to interfere," Mao added.

Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the waters surrounding Okinotori Reef are rich in seabed mineral resources and fisheries.

Japan, as a "maritime nation," is seeking to expand its resource control by attempting to define the reef as an "island," he added.

The Japanese media outlet also claimed that this latest activity marks the ninth such occurrence in the past decade.

According to international law, the activities of Chinese scientific research ships in relevant waters are legitimate and lawful, and any disguised claims by Japan over its so-called rights are futile, the expert added.

Beyond resource-driven motives, Xiang noted that Japan's persistent attempt to claim Okinotori as an "island" rather than a "reef," and hyping China's lawful activities, also has geopolitical consideration.

Given the reef's remote location from Japan's mainland yet strategic position in the Pacific, the expert said Japan aims to establish a strategic pivot to extend its geopolitical influence in the Western Pacific and tighten control over critical maritime chokepoints in its attempt to contain China.

It is located at a critical strategic position between the first and second island chains, enabling Japan to control ships entering the Pacific Ocean, Xiang explained.

Such maneuver also aligns with the strategic goals of the US-Japan alliance, serving as a maritime pivot for the two nations in the Asia-Pacific region for their geopolitical intentions, Xiang said.