In response to an inquiry regarding a joint statement issued by Japan and the Philippines claiming that the two sides decided to "commence formal negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf between the two countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said on Friday that China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the move, and has lodged stern representations with Japan and the Philippines respectively.

Mao said that the maritime boundary area involved in the Japan-Philippines negotiations lies to the east of China's Taiwan island. In accordance with China's domestic laws and international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China enjoys exclusive economic zone and continental shelf rights in the relevant waters, Mao said.

The unilateral launch of the so-called "negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary" by Japan and the Philippines seriously infringes on China's maritime rights and interests and grossly violates international law including UNCLOS as well as the basic norms governing international relations, Mao said. 

China solemnly states that the so-called "negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary" between Japan and the Philippines are completely illegal and null and void, and will in no way affect China's maritime claims and the exercise of its legitimate rights and interests in the waters east of Taiwan island, Mao said. 

China urges Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease any acts that undermine China's maritime rights and interests, and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and stability, the spokesperson said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday vowed to deepen bilateral ties and uphold multilateralism.

Carney voiced Canada's willingness to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in fields such as energy, finance, agriculture and fisheries, and keep consolidating the foundation of bilateral relations.

Canada supports China in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, he said, adding that Ottawa is ready to work with Beijing to jointly champion and practice multilateralism, so as to make positive contributions to global economic development and world peace and stability.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said facts have proven that a better China-Canada relationship serves the interests of both countries, meets the expectations of all parties, and represents the right choice for Canada, emphasizing that there are no clashes of fundamental interests between the two nations and there is enormous room for cooperation.

Wang said that both sides should uphold multilateralism, the international rule of law, and strategic autonomy, while actively supporting free trade and an open world economy.