The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday said the so-called maritime delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines are completely illegal, null and void.

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 spokesperson Mao Ning said that China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the move, and has lodged stern representations with Japan and the Philippines respectively.

Mao pointed out that the area the two countries announced they will delimit is in the east of China's Taiwan island and according to China's domestic law and international law including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in this area.

Mao said that Japan and the Philippines' so-called maritime delimitation talks constitute a severe violation of China's maritime rights and interests, UNCLOS and other international law and basic norms governing international relations.

Mao made it clear that so-called delimitation talks will have no effect on China's claims to rights in the area east of the Taiwan island or exercise of China's lawful rights.

China urges Japan and the Philippines to immediately stop any violation of China's maritime rights and interests and take concrete actions to uphold regional peace and stability, she added.