China in Sea Resource Dispute With US Ally
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Tensions flared this week between China and Japan after Tokyo detected a new Chinese structure in an energy-rich area of the East China Sea.
"China's oil and gas exploration activities in the East China Sea are conducted in undisputed waters under China's jurisdiction," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters Wednesday, after Tokyo lodged a formal protest.
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministries with written requests for comment.
Why It Matters
The latest structure, along the line equidistant between the two countries, is the 20th in a sequence that has included suspected oil rigs and hydrocarbon platforms.
China and its U.S. ally Japan agreed in 2008 to codevelop gas fields in the region, but negotiations stalled before the two sides could reach an agreement on their official maritime boundaries.
While China has limited construction of these platforms to its own side of the median line, Japan believes the operations are draining oil and gas reserves from basins that straddle both countries' claims.
What To Know
Japan's foreign ministry said Tuesday it had confirmed the installation of a new structure in the disputed zone and called China's unilateral resource development in the waterway "extremely regrettable."
Kanai Masaaki, head of the ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, "lodged a strong protest" with a senior Chinese diplomat at the Chinese embassy and urged the immediate resumption of talks.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya holds a news conference on evacuation of Japanese nationals from Israel and Iran at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on June 20.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya holds a news conference on evacuation of Japanese nationals from Israel and Iran at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on June 20.
Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images
Guo pushed back at Wednesday's press briefing, saying China does not accept Tokyo's complaint, which he called unwarranted.
China and Japan are also at odds over a collection of Tokyo-controlled islands, known in Japan as the Senkaku Islands and in China as the Diaoyu Islands.
China has increased both the frequency and size of its coast guard patrols in the area in recent years, contributing to a steady escalation in maritime tensions.
What People Are Saying
Guo told reporters: "China upholds and remains committed to the comprehensive and effective implementation of the principled consensus on the East China Sea issue. We hope Japan will work in the same direction with China and make effort for resuming the intergovernmental negotiation between the two countries at an early date."
What's Next
It remains unclear when negotiations will resume to delineate China and Japan's maritime zones.
A similar dispute has emerged in the Yellow Sea over Chinese structures in a zone China and South Korea agreed to jointly manage fisheries.
Beijing maintains the facilities are intended to support fishing operations. South Korean officials suspect China seeks to gradually achieve de facto control over those waters, warning of countermeasures if China fails to be more transparent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TutorABC Launches ChatAI 1.0 Powered by TutorABC: Redefining Speaking Practice with AI Innovation
TAIPEI, July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TutorABC, a global leader in online English and Chinese education, announces the launch of ChatAI 1.0 Powered by TutorABC. This next-generation AI voice speaking app is designed to help learners build fluency and confidence through real-time, intelligent speaking practice — while reinforcing the central role of live, professional teaching. Built as part of TutorABC's integrated learning ecosystem, ChatAI supports students between live lessons, helping them speak more, review faster, and get more value from their time with their live teachers. Samuel Yang, Co-Chairman and CEO of TutorABC: "This is a major leap forward. With real-time, natural voice conversations and instant feedback, ChatAI 1.0 uses cutting-edge AI to give every learner a smart speaking partner in their pocket. It's fast, flexible, and incredibly effective — and when combined with live teaching, it sets a new standard for how language learning can be delivered." Start 7-day free trial to experience ChatAI: ChatAI 1.0 – What It Can Do Practice Real Conversations – Talk with natural-sounding AI and adjust voice or speed Understand with Bilingual Support – Get translations and hints when you're stuck Improve How You Speak – Get pronunciation scores and sentence suggestions instantly Learn Useful Topics – Choose from 1,000+ real-world themes like business or travel All features are designed to enhance live classes with professional teachers — helping students arrive more prepared, and leave with deeper confidence. Start 7-day free trial to experience ChatAI: AI + Human = Better Together ChatAI 1.0 complements TutorABC's live instruction — including 1-on-1, 1-on-4, and group Masterclasses. Rodney Miles, Co-Chairman of TutorABC: "AI brings consistency, speed, and data-driven feedback. Our teachers bring human connection, cultural insight, and encouragement. Together, they create a learning experience that's both powerful and personal — helping students stay motivated, build real-world skills, and enjoy faster progress." TutorABC's approach ensures AI supports what matters most: meaningful time spent with real teachers. Start 7-day free trial to experience ChatAI: Ongoing Innovation TutorABC's R&D teams are continually enhancing both ChatAI and our live teaching systems using the latest advances in: Natural Language Processing (NLP) Speech recognition and synthesis (TTS/ASR) Conversational AI, pronunciation modeling, and adaptive learning engines These upgrades are built using research and frameworks from MIT, the Stanford NLP Group, and Cambridge's ALTA Institute. By improving both AI tools and the classroom experience, we're making the entire learning journey — from self-practice to live instruction with teachers — smarter, more connected, and more effective. Start 7-day free trial to experience ChatAI: Try It Free Today ChatAI 1.0 Powered by TutorABC is fully integrated into the TutorABC App. New students can access a free trial for a limited time. It's the perfect companion to live classes — offering flexible speaking practice and better results in every session with a real teacher. Start 7-day free trial to experience ChatAI: About TutorABC TutorABC is a global leader in online education, trusted by learners for over 20 years. At the core of our platform is live human teaching — delivered through 1-on-1, 1-on-4, and group Masterclasses led by certified professionals. This foundation is supported by: Smart Tools – Flashcards, podcasts, and articles AI Support – ChatAI, podcast suggestions, and roleplays Immersive Classrooms – Interactive tools and replays Dynamic Reports – Track progress and get improvement tips We also offer study abroad consulting (with 500+ university partners in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia) and corporate training used by professionals from Apple, Microsoft, TSMC, Micron, Toyota, Yamaha, Shiseido, Citibank, PCA Life Insurance, and more. TutorABC's content partners include Oxford and Cambridge University Press, ETS, Barron's, National Geographic, and global sources like CNN, BBC, The Economist, Reuters, Forbes, NBA, and MLB. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TutorABC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
India backs Dalai Lama's position on successor, contradicting China
DHARAMSHALA, India (Reuters) -A senior Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organization he has set up have the authority to identify his successor as the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, in a rare comment contradicting rival China's long-held position. The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that upon his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He previously said the person would be born outside China. Beijing says it has the right to approve the Dalai Lama's successor as a legacy from imperial times. Kiren Rijiju, India's minister of parliamentary and minority affairs, made a rare statement on the matter on Thursday, ahead of visiting the Dalai Lama's base in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala for the religious leader's 90th birthday on Sunday. "No one has the right to interfere or decide who the successor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be," Indian media quoted Rijiju as telling reporters. "Only he or his institution has the authority to make that decision. His followers believe that deeply. It's important for disciples across the world that he decides his succession." In response to the remarks, China's foreign ministry warned India on Friday against interfering in its domestic affairs at the expense of bilateral relations, urging it to be prudent in its words and actions. "We hope the Indian side will fully understand the highly sensitive nature of Tibet-related issues, recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama," spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press conference. India's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the Dalai Lama's succession plan. Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, will be joined by other Indian officials at the birthday celebrations. India is estimated to be home to tens of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists who are free to study and work there. Many Indians revere the Dalai Lama, and international relations experts say his presence in India gives New Delhi a measure of leverage with China. Relations between India and China nosedived after a deadly border clash in 2020 but are slowly improving now.
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Russia becomes first nation to recognize Taliban government of Afghanistan since 2021 takeover
Russia has become the first nation to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan since it took power in 2021, announcing on Thursday it has accepted an ambassador from the Islamist group. 'We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields,' the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. 'We see significant prospects for cooperation in the trade and economic area with an emphasis on projects in the fields of energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure,' the statement continues. 'We will continue to assist Kabul in strengthening regional security and combating the threats of terrorism and drug-related crime.' The statement by the Russian ministry was accompanied by a photo of the new Afghan ambassador to Russia, Gul Hassan Hassan, handing his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. In a post on X, alongside pictures of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi meeting with Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Zhirnov, the Taliban's foreign ministry hailed the decision as positive and important. Russia's recognition is historically significant. The former Soviet Union fought a 9-year war in Afghanistan that ended with Moscow withdrawing its troops in 1989 following their defeat by the Afghan mujahideen, some of whom later founded the modern Taliban. In the aftermath of the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia was one of a few nations to maintain a diplomatic presence in the country. Russia removed its designation of the Taliban as a terrorist group in April 2025. While the Taliban has exchanged ambassadors with China and the United Arab Emirates, and has a long-standing political office in Qatar, those countries do not recognize it as the government of Afghanistan. The lack of recognition has not prevented Afghanistan's new rulers from doing business with the outside world. In 2023, a Chinese oil company signed an oil extraction deal with the Taliban. Moreover, the Taliban has angled for the recognition of another former adversary: the United States. Efforts have reportedly ramped up since US President Donald Trump began his second term earlier this year. March 2025 saw the release of two Americans from Afghanistan, along with the US removing millions of dollars of bounties from three Taliban officials. People familiar with American conversations with the Islamist group told CNN in April that the Taliban has proposed numerous steps toward US recognition, including the creation of an embassy-like office within the US to handle Afghan issues. 'You need to be forthcoming and take a risk,' US officials told the Taliban during a March meeting to secure an American prisoner's release, according to the person familiar with the proceedings. 'Do this, it will likely open up the door for a better relationship.' It wasn't the first time the US had diplomatically engaged with the Taliban. In the last year of his first term, Trump reached an agreement with the group for a full US withdrawal by 2021. The deal achieved a chaotic fulfillment as the Taliban swept to power during former US President Joe Biden's first summer in the White House.
