Beijing strongly rebuked a recent joint statement on maritime security issued by the defense leadership of the United States, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, asserting that the declaration misrepresents the regional climate and risks escalating geopolitical tensions. The statement, which followed a sideline meeting at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) on November 3rd, drew swift and pointed criticism from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Beijing Condemns Quad-like Security Focus
Speaking on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed firm opposition to the content of the declaration, arguing that it undermines regional stability by introducing bloc politics into Asia-Pacific security discussions. The official maintained that the overall situation in both the East China Sea and the South China Sea is currently stable, emphasizing that regional governments are actively seeking diplomatic resolutions to maritime disputes.
China urged external nations to respect these ongoing efforts, cautioning against actions that could potentially exacerbate tensions. Beijing believes that injecting geopolitical rivalry, particularly through the formation of exclusive defense groupings, threatens the collective security and developmental goals of the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Rejecting the 2016 Arbitration Ruling
A central point of China’s objection focused on the continued reference to the 2016 South China Sea arbitration case. The spokesperson reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position that the legal proceedings leading to the ruling were illegitimate and characterized the entire event as a “political farce.”
China has consistently maintained that the resulting award holds no legal standing, is null and void, and carries no binding force for the nation. This firm dismissal of the international tribunal’s decision forms the foundation of China’s diplomatic resistance to any declaration that cites the ruling as a legal precedent for maritime claims in the disputed waters.
The Danger of Bloc Confrontation
The ministry’s commentary warned that the pursuit of geopolitical competition in the Asia-Pacific is detrimental to broader global stability. Rather than promoting peace and collaborative security, Beijing argues that this type of group politics introduces elements of confrontation that ultimately undermine regional cohesion.
Experts suggest that China’s reaction highlights its growing concern regarding increased security coordination among U.S. allies—specifically the evolving defense ties between Manila, Canberra, Tokyo, and Washington—which often leverage multilateral forums like ADMM-Plus to address China’s robust assertiveness in the contested South China Sea.
For regional stakeholders, this diplomatic friction underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing national sovereignty claims with the need for freedom of navigation and adherence to international law. Moving forward, the effectiveness of ASEAN-led dispute resolution mechanisms will remain critical as major powers vie for influence, making diplomatic dialogue, rather than military posturing, the most viable path toward long-term peace in one of the world’s most crucial maritime zones.