Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major nations have warned against “any attempt to assert territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force” — a message apparently aimed at China.
It is for the first time that G7 has adopted a document focusing on maritime security, giving member Japan new backing in its bid to step up pressure on China over territorial issues.
The G-7 statement comes as China is carrying out reclamation work on disputed reefs and rocks in the South China Sea while remaining at odds with Japan over the Japan-administered Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.
"We continue to observe the situation in the East and South China Seas and are concerned by any unilateral actions, such as large-scale land reclamation, which change the status quo and increase tensions," the G-7 ministers stressed.
Member countries "strongly oppose any attempt to assert territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force," the document said, stressing the importance of maritime security.
They also emphasized the importance of resolving maritime issues in a peaceful manner while abiding by international law.
"We are committed to maintaining a maritime order based upon the principles of international law, in particular as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We continue to observe the situation in the East and South China Seas and are concerned by any unilateral actions, such as large scale land reclamation, which change the status quo and increase tensions," says the statement.
The joint declaration was adopted at a two-day meeting of the G-7 foreign ministers in Luebeck, northern Germany, through Wednesday.
Japan Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters after the meeting that he had led discussions on the security environment in Asia and underscored Japan’s position that any attempt to change the status quo at sea is unacceptable.