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

China Coast Guard personnel aboard their rigid hull inflatable boat (left), in this photo taken on Feb. 16, 202  trails a small Philippine boat carrying Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources personnel from the BRP Datu Tamblot trying to enter Scarborough Shoal, as a larger Chinese vessel
is seen in the West Philippine Sea.  (AFP)

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.