China called the Japan‑Philippines maritime and sea border talks illegal, a position reported by outlets in both China and India. The protest came after a joint statement released on Thursday following a summit in Tokyo between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the South China Morning Post. During the talks, Japan and the Philippines agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership that will broaden cooperation in economic and security areas, the same source added.

The Philippines lodged a protest over what it described as the illegal presence and escalatory actions of a Chinese People’s Liberation Army‑Navy helicopter and two China Coast Guard vessels within its exclusive economic zone. The National Maritime Council said the vessels CCG 5901 and CCG 3304 were detected on Jan. 5 and Jan. 10 near Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), about 70 to 90 nautical miles from Zambales province, and that the Philippine Coast Guard repeatedly challenged the ships and ordered them to leave, according to balitangmarino.com. The council also labeled the helicopter’s hover above a Philippine Coast Guard vessel as provocative.

The Philippines continues to object to the ongoing illegal presence and activities of Chinese maritime forces, the same source reported. In a broader regional context, Hindu reported that Japan and China are engaged in territorial and economic disputes in the East China Sea, and that coastguard ships from both sides routinely stage dangerous standoffs in that area.