US, Japan condemn China’s ‘provocative activities’ in South China Sea

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard stand alert as a China Coast Guard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea, March 5, 2024. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday condemned China for “provocative activities” in the contested South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely.

“The two leaders reaffirmed their strong opposition to the PRC’s unlawful maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and threatening and provocative activities in the South China Sea,” a joint statement said after Trump and Ishiba met in Washington, referring to China by the abbreviation of its official name. — Agence France-Presse