China has issued a formal legal challenge to plans by Japan and the Philippines to negotiate a maritime boundary in waters east of Taiwan, arguing the talks constitute an "internationally wrongful act" because they bypass Beijing, which also claims rights in the area. A legal commentary and opinion released by the Ministry of Natural Resources’ China Institute for Marine Affairs say the two US allies are proceeding "without consultation with China" in a zone where the three countries’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf claims overlap extensively.

The Chinese side argues that, given the "overall geographical situation and the relative positions of the relevant coasts," any delimitation of exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelves in the waters east of Taiwan inevitably involves China as well as Japan and the Philippines. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, all three are coastal states entitled to claim EEZs extending 200 nautical miles from their baselines. Beijing says those claims intersect in much of the area that Tokyo and Manila intend to address bilaterally, making a two-party negotiation inconsistent with obligations owed to a third claimant.

In the legal documents and public statements, Chinese agencies contend that the move violates principles of sovereign equality, good faith, cooperation and self-restraint under international law. The Ministry of Natural Resources commentary and the think tank opinion both state that the announcement "in disregard of the region's specific geographical circumstances" has harmed China’s maritime rights and interests. The Foreign Ministry has lodged what it calls solemn representations with Japan and the Philippines, and a spokeswoman for the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office described the proposed delimitation talks as "completely illegal, null and void."

Beijing also underscores that, as the "state whose rights and interests have been injured," it is "entitled to invoke the responsibility of Japan and the Philippines" over what it labels "internationally wrongful acts." It is calling on the two governments to halt their bilateral negotiations and instead enter into consultations with China. Relevant Chinese maritime authorities, including the China Coast Guard, have conducted patrols in waters east of Taiwan in recent days, which officials in Beijing describe as a lawful exercise of jurisdiction in areas where they say China’s EEZ and continental shelf claims overlap with those of its neighbors.

Hong Kong is easing cross-border requirements for visiting yachts as the government accelerates efforts to position the city as an Asian hub for marine leisure and tourism. The Maritime Department has introduced three measures that simplify approval procedures and speed up customs and immigration handling for foreign-registered pleasure craft, targeting yacht owners in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and beyond.

At the core of the revamp is an upgraded electronic business system that went live on the day of the announcement. Owners or captains of visiting yachts can now open personal accounts directly on the platform, without going through a local agent. They can file vessel, crew and passenger information in advance for pre-clearance by relevant departments and complete customs procedures and payments online, in what officials describe as a one-stop digital process.

The Maritime Department is also relaxing berthing requirements that previously obliged visiting yachts to secure a berth at a privately operated marina or pier before entering Hong Kong. A new dynamic monitoring system allows eligible yachts equipped with an automatic identification system and very high frequency radio to navigate freely and anchor within designated areas, provided operations remain safe and orderly. Five anchorages for visiting yachts have been set aside at Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Repulse Bay, Kei Ling Ha in Sai Kung, and Tai O.

To make it easier for captains from mainland China to meet local qualification standards, Hong Kong has authorized relevant mainland institutions to run examinations on Hong Kong waters knowledge and approved seven training providers to offer recognized courses. The first cohort of mainland captains passed exams or completed training in mid-month, and authorities say they plan to extend the arrangement to overseas locations in due course. The government and the Maritime Department will monitor how the new regime operates and adjust it as needed, while pledging to work closely with mainland counterparts and the tourism industry to foster what they describe as a healthy, sustainable and competitive environment for Hong Kong’s yacht economy.