China flexes muscles at Japan, Vietnam

China is showing new signs of assertiveness on its maritime borders with two neighbours — Japan and Vietnam. Twice in just the past week, China’s territorial muscle-flexing have given rise to a deep sense of disquiet about its intentions as an ascendant military power in Asia.

On Thursday, China challenged Japan’s plans to build a port on Okinotori atoll, about 1,800 km south of Tokyo. “Infrastructure-building will not change the legal position (of the atoll),” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said.

Japanese media reports had noted earlier this week that plans were afoot to build a port on Okinotori, where Japan already has a lighthouse and other facilities; the port infrastructure would help with exploration for resources in the area.

China’s objection is motivated by a concern that it would lose access to the waters and area around the atoll if the Japanese port comes up. It argues that the atoll does not measure up to internationally acknowledged criteria to be recognised as an island.

The action came barely days after China stepped on Vietnam’s toes, by asserting its claims of “indisputable sovereignty” over a disputed group of island in the South China sea, parts of which it had seized from Vietnam in 1974 following a maritime battle.

The archipelago is situated about mid-way between China and Vietnam, and the area is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas reserves, in addition to fishing resources. Other countries, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also lay claims to parts of the archipelago.

China had also controversially announced plans earlier this week to develop tourism in the region, including in the disputed islands. Vietnam’s foreign ministry had protested China’s plan, noting that it would “violate Vietnam’s sovereignty”, “escalate tension” and “complicate the situation.”