Taiwan Officials Say They Are Fully Aware of Japan-Philippines EEZ Talks, Warn Against Falling for China's Information Warfare
In response to the launch of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines, Taiwanese foreign affairs officials stated that the government is fully aware of the progress and has maintained close communication with both countries through existing channels, confirming that Taiwan's rights and interests will not be affected. Officials emphasized that the talks are aimed at resolving overlapping maritime claims between the two countries, not expanding their claims. The broader context, they noted, is China's military expansion threatening the first island chain. Officials warned that ignoring this strategic backdrop and shifting focus to criticize the government would effectively play into China's information warfare aimed at dividing Taiwanese society.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 23:44
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 4) In response to the announcement by Japan and the Philippines to initiate negotiations on their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf maritime boundaries, Taiwanese foreign affairs officials stated on Tuesday that the government has been fully aware of the progress since the Japan-Philippines summit and has maintained close communication with both Japan and the Philippines through existing channels. They confirmed that the process and outcome of the future Japan-Philippines agreement will not affect Taiwan's sovereign rights under international law and the law of the sea, nor will it affect existing mechanisms such as the "Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement" and the "Taiwan-Philippines Fisheries Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement."
The officials explained that Japan and the Philippines currently have overlapping EEZ areas, so the delimitation talks are primarily aimed at resolving their bilateral overlapping maritime issues. They emphasized that this is not about expanding each country's claims and certainly does not involve changing the rights of third parties.
Analyzing the broader strategic context, the officials said the talks are a response to China's military expansion and its attempt to create a "new normal" in the Indo-Pacific region. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (Note: The original text mentions '高市早苗' but context suggests the Prime Minister; the original text is preserved) is promoting an upgraded version of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy, and the Quad is moving towards enhancing joint operational capabilities and military interoperability. The elevation of Japan-Philippines relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" is aimed at strengthening security cooperation along the first island chain and the ability to maintain maritime order.
The officials pointed to a map released by "Yuyuan Tantan," a new media account under China's state broadcaster CCTV, showing the patrol and control scope of the China Coast Guard in the East China Sea. The map indicates that China's so-called "patrol" range extends north to the Yaeyama Islands and south to Batan Island, demonstrating that China's military and maritime law enforcement activities are creating comprehensive pressure on the first island chain. This, they said, highlights the reality of the concept that "if Taiwan is in trouble, Japan is in trouble, and the Philippines is in trouble."
Addressing domestic criticism, the officials stated that some opposition figures and specific media outlets have directly linked the Japan-Philippines EEZ delimitation talks to Taiwan's maritime rights, even exaggerating claims that the government has been "slow to react" and has "compromised national sovereignty." They argued that these claims are not only factually incorrect but also highly similar to the rhetoric of the Chinese government and its state media, objectively creating a mutually reinforcing effect.
The officials concluded that China has been trying to create a false impression of jurisdiction over surrounding waters in recent years. They warned that ignoring the strategic background of enhanced Japan-Philippines cooperation and instead turning the focus to attacking the government would be tantamount to falling into the framework of China's information warfare, which aims to divide Taiwanese society and weaken the cooperation of the democratic camp.
The officials explained that Japan and the Philippines currently have overlapping EEZ areas, so the delimitation talks are primarily aimed at resolving their bilateral overlapping maritime issues. They emphasized that this is not about expanding each country's claims and certainly does not involve changing the rights of third parties.
Analyzing the broader strategic context, the officials said the talks are a response to China's military expansion and its attempt to create a "new normal" in the Indo-Pacific region. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (Note: The original text mentions '高市早苗' but context suggests the Prime Minister; the original text is preserved) is promoting an upgraded version of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy, and the Quad is moving towards enhancing joint operational capabilities and military interoperability. The elevation of Japan-Philippines relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" is aimed at strengthening security cooperation along the first island chain and the ability to maintain maritime order.
The officials pointed to a map released by "Yuyuan Tantan," a new media account under China's state broadcaster CCTV, showing the patrol and control scope of the China Coast Guard in the East China Sea. The map indicates that China's so-called "patrol" range extends north to the Yaeyama Islands and south to Batan Island, demonstrating that China's military and maritime law enforcement activities are creating comprehensive pressure on the first island chain. This, they said, highlights the reality of the concept that "if Taiwan is in trouble, Japan is in trouble, and the Philippines is in trouble."
Addressing domestic criticism, the officials stated that some opposition figures and specific media outlets have directly linked the Japan-Philippines EEZ delimitation talks to Taiwan's maritime rights, even exaggerating claims that the government has been "slow to react" and has "compromised national sovereignty." They argued that these claims are not only factually incorrect but also highly similar to the rhetoric of the Chinese government and its state media, objectively creating a mutually reinforcing effect.
The officials concluded that China has been trying to create a false impression of jurisdiction over surrounding waters in recent years. They warned that ignoring the strategic background of enhanced Japan-Philippines cooperation and instead turning the focus to attacking the government would be tantamount to falling into the framework of China's information warfare, which aims to divide Taiwanese society and weaken the cooperation of the democratic camp.