The Philippines, Japan and the United States expressed serious concerns about China’s repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone during their first Trilateral Maritime Dialogue held in Tokyo yesterday. “They expressed serious concerns about the PRC (People’s Republic of China)’s dangerous and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea – including the repeated blocking and harassment of Philippine vessels from operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone – behavior that threatens the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations,” the US State Department said in a statement following the dialogue.

Lee-Brago, P., Punongbayan, M., & Villeza, M. E. (2024, December 12). Maritime talks: Phl, US, Japan tackle China's aggression. The Philippine Star, p. 2.