China says it has every right to drill in East China Sea

Japan should take advantage of advanced horizontal drilling methods that will allow them to drill far into China's so called exclusive economic zone. Then watch the Chinese protest.

“China and Japan have not yet delineated maritime boundaries in the East China Sea, and China does not recognise the Japanese side’s unilateral marking out of a so-called ‘median line,’” the ministry said in a statement.

But you do.

China’s position is that it had a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, and its continental shelf in the East China Sea extends to the Okinawa Trough, it added.

As to China's submission to Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the commission itself does not decide territorial disputes nor does the decisions handed down effect the soverignty issue of Senkaku. As to disputes involving CLCS, it's heard by International Tribunal for the Law of Sea (ITLOS). In this matter, there was a case a couple of years ago between Myanmar and Bangladesh in regards to the maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. The court pretty much decided that the equidistant line would be observed when there is an overlapping EEZ. Hence, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that China won't be able to exercize their rights beyond the median line. (i.e. status quo where equidistant line is observed between mainland China and Senkaku) As such, Japan promptly objected to China's CLCS application simply because their extension request infringes on Japan's EEZ. Therefore, under UNCLOS, when such request overlaps as in this case, the law specifically states that you need a official consent from the other party (meaning Japan which China has not gotten a permission).

Anyways, no, China does not have the right to demand Japan, the US and, well, everybody else on the planet to recognize its unilateral claims.

Anyways, no, China does not have the right to demand Japan, the US and, well, everybody else on the planet to recognize its unilateral claims.

And like China has to follow the demands of the US, Japan, and everyone else on the planet?

These actions by China only lead to an escalation of tensions in an area already rife with problems, neither country will pull back and both will keep beating their chests and keep acting like children in a sandbox fighting over one precious toy.

If either country had a true leader they could sit down and hammer out agreements (peacefully) on how to develop these areas jointly. But alas neither exist.

"China resumed exploration in the East China Sea two years ago, Japan said. In 2012, Japan’s government angered China by buying a disputed island chain there from private owners. Before then, China had curtailed activities under an agreement with Japan to jointly develop undersea resources in disputed areas."

Says it all right there. You reap what you sow, Japan. Best thing you can do is refloat the idea of joint development as quickly as possible and hope China waits for you to catch up. Of course, if Abe, which I'm sure he will, screws everything up like the government did in 2012, you can just kiss all the gas fields goodbye and wish China best of luck.

I find it ironic that Japan continues to beat it's chest over drilling of its oil yet it hasn't started drilling itself. I'm all for Japan exercising its right but they are beginning to sound a little petty when after sitting on known oil reserves for the last 40 years they STILL haven't started tapping it.

who cares , if both parties work together, both profit or die fighting each other. In this case Japan should STFU and build their own platforms .

Well, I guess we cannot expect the press to lay it down clearly and spoil the opportunity for outrage, but it appears that China is building the platform completely within its own territory, yes? The area itself is not disputed at all, yes?

So all we have is this fear of Japan's that oil on their side will be taken. Not proof, just a fear. A concern. And based on that Japan tells China to stop building altogether?

Another thing that amazes me is that this joint-development agreement was made in 2008. Where has it gone since then? Was Japan's plan to just sit on its hands and block development forever?

Heh-heh. . . The japanese can assume whatever they want (more chinese military activity, radar, drone beses etc). What are they going to do about it? Nothing, that's what.

China’s Foreign Ministry said its drilling activities in waters which are not disputed and under Chinese administration are “completely appropriate and legal”.

I don't see a happy ending to this situation. Hopefully a serious skirmish will ensue and the Chinese tourists will leave Japan and stop visiting for a few years.

Examine Joint Explorations as agreed upon a few years ago. Take the Owlish Approach, NOT the Hawkish stance, or be a Dove, susceptible to being bullied. Negotiate Wisely & Fairly aimed at a Win-Win Outcome - Not easy but the best solution to ensure Peace in the Sea of Japan/East China Sea.

The Asian countries need to wake up and negotiate for resolutions and proceed with peaceful agreements as they had done in the past, instead of claiming lands by enacting unilaterally domestic laws or trying to grab lands thinking the overlord is behind them. Co-operation will ensure prosperity for Asians and the money spent on development instead of buying weapons to fight each other while enriching U.S.

yeah yeah..everyone who has power has right to do "anything" on this planet..sigh

@Crazy. LoL, China has no "overlord" as they are a truly sovereign nation.

@bengoshi. Japan has no stomach for even the slightest "skirmish". So why do the brass and MOD keep making those hawkish statements about chinese drilling in their own waters?

I love Japan. Lived in this fine, fine nation for twelve years and, in many ways, I'm sorry I've left. That aside, when the PRC sent one of their subs into and across Japanese Territorial Waters without surfacing and identifying itself a few years back, and the JMSDF did nothing but "shadow" the sub and "monitor" it for like 400 nautical miles utside of Japanese territorial waters, I knew then that there was no teeth in the J-Navy. A few depth charges at that time may have forced that sub to the surface and sent a message to the PRC that the JMSDF isn't to be trifled with. Alas, some years later, and now the PRC is at it again, yet big time, and what does Japan do? Talk. That seems to be the "solution" for every international crisis. ISIS/ISIL beheads unarmed and harmless citizens in their territory. What does the world do in response? Talk. Russia INVADES Ukraine and arms ethnic Russian rebels in several Ukrainian states to the point that these rebels shamelessly shoot down a passenger plane, then boast about it online. What does the rest of the world do? Talk. Iran calls for death to the entire world and demands the right to produce and use nuclear energy. What does the entire world do with Iran? Talk. Boko Haram kidnaps TWO-HUNDRED innocent girls and sells the bulk of them as sex slaves to their horrific "fighters". What does the majority of the world do? Talk. Al-Qaeda-backed thugs kill an American Ambassador, one of his deputies, and two more consular guards. What does Mr. Obama do? He not only talks, but rushes off to a campaign fundie (as if the lives of four Americans matters little to him). Talk.

Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.

Talk is cheap...

Friends, bullies only know one thing. FORCE!

If the "People's 'Republic'" is "flexing their muscles", Japan needs to do more than "shadow" PRC boats with their own: send a cotton-pickin' fleet with that shiny new carrier of theirs as the flagship and start putting a "quarantine" zone around their platforms. That might let the PRC know that Japan is willing to put its money where its mouth is.

All of this talk is only doing one thing: showing the international bullies that the talkers are weak.

I knew then that there was no teeth in the J-Navy. A few depth charges at that time may have forced that sub to the surface and sent a message to the PRC that the JMSDF isn't to be trifled with.

@Jason, a depth charge. Sounds about right. But could you imagine those unprecedented shockwaves that would've caused among ordinary japanese citizens. Appeasing the aggressor only makes him more aggressive, now look, the chinese are drilling East China Sea. Cause they know they JMSDF (as you point out) won't do anything.

Agree Wc626. But that sub (and I believe a few more PRC subs did similarly over the next few years) was in Japanese Territorial Waters. Shockwaves or not among the public, dropping a depth charge across its path may have...well, you're right, it may have simply shocked the J-public more than done anything else. Point taken

I am no fan of Abe and I am no fan of militarism, but when it comes to national sovereignty and asserting one's territorial rights and boundaries, history has proven that diplomacy only works when backed by a firm commitment to do what is necessary to protect one's rights and boundaries. Otherwise, diplomacy favours the strong and the bullies and takes advantage of the weak and timid.

Japan, make no mistake. China knows exactly what it wants, it is going about it in a deliberate and methodical matter. It broaches no questioning of its own activities that encroach on other countries interests, then turns around and lectures everyone else on what it sees as encroaching on its own interests. It is the proverbial belligerent bully, using its strength to intimidate and taking advantage of the timidity and the weakness of its neighbours to achieve its goals.

Japan, as the old saying goes, time to put up or shut up. Protestations and plea for negotiations and further discussions are useless. If anything, the Chinese will use them to buy time while further solidifying its position.

On this issue, if you are serious about protecting your interests, deploy drilling rigs on your side of the median line. Throw it back in the their face.

And if you are really serious about this whole issue, engage in island building on the Senkaku Islands. Its as much yours as the "islands" in the South China Sea are China's. You have very capable construction companies. Build a forward base on the Senkaku Islands a landing strip and a port and barracks and radar. Just do it. Don't threaten it. Just do it. Seems to be the Chinese way.

However, if you aren't willing to play hardball, just shut up already. Because the empty talk is meaningless and just downright embarrassing.

LoL, and then if a SSN intervened and intercepted the chinese subs (during all those incursions into japanese waters) this would've been perfectly appropriate and acceptable for japanese citizens.

Why then, have JMSDF at all? Just call it a glorified coast guard hoisting a "happy face" flag or one of the cute-friendly mascots japanese love so much.

I am no fan of Abe and I am no fan of militarism, but when it comes to national sovereignty and asserting one's territorial rights and boundaries, history has proven that diplomacy only works when backed by a firm commitment to do what is necessary to protect one's rights and boundaries. Otherwise, diplomacy favours the strong and the bullies and takes advantage of the weak and timid.

Japan, make no mistake. China knows exactly what it wants, it is going about it in a deliberate and methodical matter. It broaches no questioning of its own activities that encroach on other countries interests, then turns around and lectures everyone else on what it sees as encroaching on its own interests. It is the proverbial belligerent bully, using its strength to intimidate and taking advantage of the timidity and the weakness of its neighbours to achieve its goals.

Japan, as the old saying goes, time to put up or shut up. Protestations and plea for negotiations and further discussions are useless. If anything, the Chinese will use them to buy time while further solidifying its position. On this issue, if you are serious about protecting your interests, deploy drilling rigs on your side of the median line. Throw it back in the their face.

And if you are really serious about this whole issue, engage in island building on the Senkaku Islands. Its as much yours as the "islands" in the South China Sea are China's. You have very capable construction companies. Build a forward base on the Senkaku Islands a landing strip and a port and barracks and radar. Just do it. Don't threaten it. Just do it. Seems to be the Chinese way.

However, if you aren't willing to play hardball, just shut up already. Because the empty talk is meaningless and just downright embarrassing. ---zones2surf - JUL. 25, 2015 - 12:40PM JST

^^^ THIS!

I think the Chinese are already preparing to drill horizontally. The only reason Japan is saying halt is because they are losing the race. Nobody knows how much gas and oil is down there. The only way Japan is going to claim that gas and oil is to BLOW them out of the water.

EEZ? So what oil. The gas goes to the winner. Maybe Japan should hire El Chapo. He'll show you how to get to that gas.

Wc626JUL. 25, 2015 - 12:46PM JST <---Hilarious! The point you made about the JMSDF is simply priceless!!!

Of course, if Japan doesn't want to get aggressive, they could always name AKB48 as their East China Sea Ambassadors for Peace & Harmony. AKB48 seems to be the go-to solution for the Japanese government when it comes international relations. Put them on a JMSDF ship, send it to the drilling platforms and they could perform a collection of their songs on deck for the Chinese to see. No doubt that would solve the problem.

I think there is still a kind of trauma for what was happened seven decades back, so japan seems to be more careful now with any actions that might lead to unncessary military encounters, like perhaps the construction of infrastructure on senkaku.

Sometimes things are just as easy for spectators, but in reality, those who actually play the game sometimes needs to buy them time to ponder and calculate the impacts, etc.

Sometimes things are just as easy for spectators, but in reality, those who actually play the game sometimes needs to buy them time to ponder and calculate the impacts, etc. ---souka - JUL. 25, 2015 - 01:30PM JST

I would agree with this point (and I totally do with the one above it), except that I've been around people and am part of a family of military men who had to actually play "the game" (though, they never thought of it as such) and there are times when it is necessary to push back. Eventually, a point is reached where retreat is no longer possible, and pushing back becomes absolutely useless....

It seems to me that China express its unilateral opinion on boarder, too.

nigelboy JUL. 25, 2015 - 07:27AM JST Therefore, under UNCLOS, when such request overlaps as in this case, the law specifically states that you need a official consent from the other party (meaning Japan which China has not gotten a permission).

How ridiculous. The UNCLCS does not resolve disputes. It simply evaluates the technical merits of an extended continental shelf claim. It’s up to Japan and China to settle their disputes or seek third party arbitration. The UNCLCS may not even rule on a submission to which another country has registered an objection, which would include almost all submissions made by East Asian states.

Japan is more concerned with getting its nuke stations back online than on drilling for oil.

Why not just build a Japan platform on the Japan side of the line and suck out as much as possible? Surely, someone will then want to have meaningful talks about the situation then.

Everybody knows Japan is acting out of desperation to publish those photos of China's rightful gas exploration activities (even the Japanese media suggest Japan is doing this probably it is trying to influence the public to be panicked and thus support Abe's bogus unlawful security bills which are being rejected by the Japanese people as they see no "China threat" in the way Abe is misleading them), especially Japan could not even articulate clealy if there is any illegality in such activities. As usual, Japan is presenting "facts" when they are not facts.

And the hypocrisy Japan is shamelessy showing is mind-boggling: Japan itself unilaterally provoked China (against USA's advice etc.) by "nationalizing" the Diaoyou/Senkaku islands (when UK documents etc. last year showed China and Japan had agreed to put aside the issue) and by using military "patrols" with Philippines/USA to provoke China in the South China Sea when Japan itself is not a claimant.

So, all the provocation is done by Japan, or at least Japan itself is responsible for half of the tensions.

China has nothing better to do than be an abusive a-hole

@sf2k, thanks, that says a lot more about Japan doing nothing but using false accusations and hypocrisy (like now these Chinese gas platforms that Japan can't even say are illegal!) to drum up non-existing support for Abe's bogus security bills that are rejected by the Japanese people. Can you deny that it makes no sense to accuse China of something that is not illegal nor breaching any legal pact/agreement. What will Japan accuse China of next? Japan should just focus on its own business and not dwell on China's unstoppable rise as a just nation. Better yet, look at the big stick in Japan's eye first before pointing fingers...

So - That's right, Japan is using desperation and hyperboles to cover its own ability to see what is right and wrong, basically being , as you coined, a bigger "a-hole." (See the Japanese media for their even more harsh comments and even suspicion about Abe releasing these photos... which the Japanese people are not buying into his "China grave threat." And where are the missiles Abe is now claiming are on/will be mounted on those gas platforms??...)

If you/other pro-Abe-security bills/Japan posters can't take that, ok, then seriously,as I asked, are there no comments that can tackle the issues objectively without frustration and emotion and envy? No?... good luck then, but please... Be fair and objective... I know it must be hard for you, but please do try. At least my comments are balanced and every point against China was answered with an equally strong (or better) point against Japan.

AKB48 seems to be the go-to solution for the Japanese government when it comes international relations.

That or Abe presenting another "Thomas & Friends" puppet show on Fuji TV with new props. I can just picture it now- an oil rig, a shark (representing a hostile chinese ship) and both american & japanese firefighters trying to scare away the shark.

I don't think China should pay ANY attention to the attention-seeking, infantile tactics, and tantrums-throwing-prone country in its neighborhood. China, should just don some earmuffs and go about its business. If there ever was a more insidiously evil country to humanity......

So, all the provocation is done by Japan, or at least Japan itself is responsible for half of the tensions.

Uhh, which is it?

@Cogito Ergo Sum:

If there ever was a more insidiously evil country to humanity......

Wow, that is a pretty bold statement, assuming you are talking about Japan. Hyperbole much? I mean:

EVER? A few countries/regimes/dictators come to mind throughout history. And, of course, the PRC has not really acquitted themselves well in the last 60 years. I mean, the Cultural Revolution is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of some 30 million people.

Insidiously evil? I would suggest that a single party system that brooks no dissent, that imprisons its citizens at the drop of hat for things like free speech, exercise of religion and, oh, protesting corruption inherently is more insidiously evil.

So, if your point is that China should just ignore Japan and continue to do what it is doing, as most belligerent, infantile bullies do, fair enough. As I have said earlier, it really is up to Japan to decide whether to take concrete action. If it is not willing to do so, then as I said, Japan should just shut up.

However, you undermine your own credibility and the point you are trying to make by making outrageous statements like the above.

who cares , if both parties work together, both profit or die fighting each other. In this case Japan should STFU and build their own platforms .

Sorry but "die fighting each other" takes on a different meaning with Abe as PM. I live in Japan, and I for one do not want to die fighting for Abe and his BS stance regarding history. I'll die fighting to protect my family and community, but "F" to Abe and his inability to LEAD.

Yubaru, I think you expect Americans to be willing to die to protect you and your family, but you feel that Japanese have no equal responsibility. If you feel that Abe is doing the wring thing, and the US should pull out of Japan, I think you might as well as start taking mandarin lessons.

Japan needs to develop the West Japan Sea to midway, rather than complain. They are more than capable of building huge rigs.

Cool. . .hey- check JapanGal! . . and her way cool input on the subject. I agree too.

How ridiculous. The UNCLCS does not resolve disputes. It simply evaluates the technical merits of an extended continental shelf claim. It’s up to Japan and China to settle their disputes or seek third party arbitration. The UNCLCS may not even rule on a submission to which another country has registered an objection, which would include almost all submissions made by East Asian states.

I didn't say so. Read the beginning part, second sentence in the original post.

" As to disputes involving CLCS, it's heard by International Tribunal for the Law of Sea (ITLOS).."

Many posters are correct in that this is Abe's attempt to show the voting public that China is not to be trusted and that they are not a nation that honors agreements.

The right wing nut case from japan , out of the wood in forces eh!....bunch of war criminal lovers right wing Jap nut.

Yubaru, I think you expect Americans to be willing to die to protect you and your family, but you feel that Japanese have no equal responsibility. If you feel that Abe is doing the wring thing, and the US should pull out of Japan, I think you might as well as start taking mandarin lessons.

If you have read anything I have written here my thoughts about the US military are well known, plus the JSDF does not necessarily need to become a military to "defend" Japan.

And you are living in the dark ages if you actually thing China would attack Japan.

@Yubaru

Sorry but "die fighting each other" takes on a different meaning with Abe as PM. I live in Japan

I live on the planet too , You , me, both leaders and more to come will be dead before their conflict game is resolved . Wake up it's not going to happen today

"China said on Friday it had every right to drill in the East China Sea close to waters disputed with Japan"

Then why is China furious that Japan released photos of their platforms to the public, calling the release as "provoking conflict"?

"adding that it did not recognise a "“unilateral” Japanese median line setting out a boundary between the two in the waters."

Then why are the Chinese platforms lined uip to be on THEIR side of a line which they claim they don't recognize?

@Zones2Surf

EVER? A few countries/regimes/dictators come to mind throughout history. And, of course, the PRC has not really acquitted themselves well in the last 60 years. I mean, the Cultural Revolution is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of some 30 million people

The very reasons that most of us are not in- or going to countries like NK or other nakedly dictatorial or racist countries. They explicitly tell us who they are and what they stand for. Apartheid South Africa preached segregation and practiced segregation,we were able to make informed decisions of whether we wanted to go there, or, if already there , to put-up and shut-up, or pack-up . Some country preaches democracy and pacifism, but its actions towards other peoples,are far from the same. It fools most people based on its apt use of wiles, guile and abundant smarmy. Given a choice, I think most of us will have more respect for someone who lets us know his true stance,EVEN if he's wrong, than one who pretends to be an angel / friend but is nothing but a devil / enemy. Thus , insidiously ( seemingly harmless but with grave danger)evil ever.

YubaruJul. 26, 2015 - 05:53AM JST If you have read anything I have written here my thoughts about the US military are well known, plus the JSDF does >not necessarily need to become a military to "defend" Japan.

I hate to break this to you but the JSDF are already a military. They don't need to "become" one. http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/w_paper/e-book/2013/

And you are living in the dark ages if you actually thing China would attack Japan.

China isn't going to "attack" anybody. Their goal is not to invade other countries, its to expand territorial limits and control over vital sea lanes and to position itself as a naval counter to the U.S. presence in the Pacific. Or, as they say "share the Pacific". China has and will use military force as a threat and in limited engagements if needed to accomplish this goal. What the Abe administration is doing is ensuring that Japan will be able to respond to such situations. The purpose of a military is to prevent war. Japan has had peace and prosperity at a very cheap price for 70 years and the rise of the Chinese dictatorship as a power compels Japan to make the changes necessary to respond to today's world.

Chinese oil-and-gas exploration platforms are located at 17 nautical miles west of so-called ‘median line" East China Sea. If this is a problem, the location of Tokyo would be disputed.

Drilling is one thing, but 'slanted drilling [aka horizontal drilling]': Okay, your drilling in somebody's 'back yard" from your yard. Isn't that illegal?

"China says it has every right to drill in the East China Sea"

Not when their siphoning Gas & Oil out from the Japanese side of the line violating their 2008 Exclusive Economic Zone Treaty with Japan.

Look, simple rules of when it comes to dealing with Communist China: #1 - Any Promise made by China is a Promise Written on Water. #2 - If You offer China 5" they will take 15" and if you compromise to 15" they will take 6 Feet.

China wants it ALL - They want The Pacific Region as envisioned by Mao Zedong in the early 1950's and they want the Worlds Economic Wealth, and then the Moon, then Mars and if they have their way The Entire Solar System and I wouldn't be surprised if they are already planning to rename the Roman Named Planets to Chinese Names and probably have already planning to rename Jupiter to Zedong - The Forbiddden Planet (or something crazy like that).

Anyway, Good Job Japan - Stay on your guard.

First to set booths on ground is the big dog. How are you going to get them out of there? Japan is too late to do anything. Mr. Abe, you should put your own oil/gas platform out there. You show no back bone, China knows this.

Ting ZhaoJul. 27, 2015 - 12:14PM JST Chinese oil-and-gas exploration platforms are located at 17 nautical miles west of so-called ‘median line" East China >Sea. If this is a problem, the location of Tokyo would be disputed.

Why are all the Chinese platforms situated in a line 17 nautical miles west of the "median line" if China does not recognize that "median Line"?

@ Ossan.... Because they can.