Japan's concern over South China Sea row is also international concern — envoy
​Japan has shrugged off China's recent remark that it has no right to intervene in the South China Sea issue by saying that Beijing's actions in the waters is "an international concern" that affects regional peace and stability.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya on Thursday night, July 4, responded to the Chinese Embassy in Japan's June 20 pronouncement, stating that it was dissatisfied with Tokyo's supposed erroneous remark about Beijing.
The Chinese embassy also said Japan has no right to intervene in the sea row as it is not a party to the issue.
"It is only natural for Japan to express serious concern if and when China's behavior in the South China Sea is dangerous and aggressive," Endo told reporters during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) at his residence.
Amid Beijing's continued aggression in the South China Sea, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, Endo is hoping for the immediate conclusion of a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo, which would allow both sides to exchange and train each others' troops, among others.
Noting that security cooperation between the two countries is "growing rapidly in recent years," he said he is also expecting to see further progress in promoting exchanges between JSDF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"We also expect strengthening cooperation between maritime law enforcement agencies and cooperation in the economic security field," he added.
"In addition, we expect to see discussions on...further strengthening our multilateral cooperation beyond bilateral engagement, including those between the Philippines, Japan and the United States, or those between the Philippines, Japan, the US and Australia and others," he said.