Are Japan-Philippines talks a maritime red line for China’s blue-water ambitions?

Key points

• And, experts warn, these talks – part of a highly calculated geopolitical effort by US allies – could reinforce the so-called first island chain and restrict Beijing’s naval access in an area vital to any potential conflict over Taiwan: its clear red line.
• Tensions have sharpened since Japan and the Philippines announced last week that they would begin formal negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary of their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelves – a zone that significantly overlaps with Taiwan’s to the east of the island.
• Under international law, coastal states hold EEZ rights up to 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from their shores.
• That includes sole authority over natural resources and full control over artificial installations.
• The legality of foreign military activities within those waters remains fiercely contested.