New Development in East China Sea

Government of Japan revealed the fact that the Chinese had been continuing development of natural gas in the East China Sea. The location was slightly on the Chinese side of centerline between Japan and China, which was drawn by Japanese government. Japanese government claimed that China’s behavior was a violation of an agreement for joint development in 2008. However, it had known about the development at least two years ago. True intention of the delayed announcement is questioned.

Japan drew a border line against China, which is located at the center between the coasts of both countries. But China unilaterally asserted another line along with the edge of seabed attached to Chinese mainland. China argues as if whole seabed, often rich in natural resources, along with it is theirs.

The government of Japan uploaded on its official webpage photographs of sixteen Chinese wells settled on the surface of East China Sea. They are four wells already existed and other twelve that had newly been constructed after June 2013. As shown in the pictures, they have large crane machine or heliport at the top. “It is regrettable that the Chinese unilaterally develop natural resources,” told Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, in a press conference.

A big question is why Japanese government revealed Chinese unilateral development at this timing. The Japanese government had recognized three new wells in 2013, additional five in 2014 and other four this year. It would be necessary for Japanese government to open the information to Japanese public, if it realized the importance of the development in the bilateral relationship.

One possible reason was to shift the public eyes from highly controversial new security legislation. It is likely that Japanese government revealed the information to justify their reinterpretation of the pacifist clause of Constitution of Japan by stressing Chinese advance to East China Sea. “We decided on various consideration of the fact that Chinese development has yet ceased, and growing concern on Chinese unilateral change of status quo inside and outside of Japan,” told Suga, asked whether the government intended to appeal necessity of new security legislation.

Regardless the intention of Japanese government, it is China to be blamed first. The development is apparent violation of a bilateral agreement. One of the general principles of international law is not to build permanent facility in a sea area in which border is not clearly drawn. It is possible that the Chinese are going to settle military equipments on accumulation of facts. As in South China Sea, China is going forward on the road of isolation.