An angry Beijing

Beijing has expressed anger over the statement of foreign ministers from the G7 and European Union regarding the East and South China Seas. The foreign ministers are one in saying they "strongly oppose any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions, and urge all states to refrain from such actions as land reclamations including large scale ones, building of outposts, as well as their use for military purposes and to act in accordance with international law including the principles of freedoms of navigation and overflight."

The statement was welcomed by the country, but it also immediately got a response from China, and an angry one at that, saying that they are "strongly dissatisfied with relevant moves taken by G7. We urge G7 members to abide by their promise of not taking sides on territorial disputes, respect the efforts by regional countries, stop all irresponsible words and actions, and make constructive contribution to regional peace and stability." The G7 member countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. China has summoned the envoys of the G7 countries to formally complain on the statement.

But the G7 has every right to be concerned with the situation in the region. Close to five trillion dollars of trade pass through these waters, making their concern a legitimate, economic one.

Since China claims almost the entire South China Sea, freedom of navigation and overflights is everyone's concern.

We have seen how China reacts when military vessels and aircraft pass through international waters and airspace. We have heard China say that they have the right to board any vessel that enters their territory. They have deployed military weapons and hardware into the artificial islands. All these point to China asserting itself as the power in the region.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is in the country to observe the ongoing Balikatan exercises. This year, Australia and Japan have joined in, with other countries observing. India is also being asked to actively participate in the exercises. There are plans for Vietnam and the Philippines to conduct joint military exercises and patrols in the region. All these will definitely elicit an angered response from Beijing.

With the decision of the UN arbitration court drawing near, China is already making a lot of noise about not recognizing such a decision. This is when the real problems start.

Tensions are already high in the region. China has upped the ante by militarizing several of their artificial islands. The G7 and EU were right in coming out with their statement, as it also concerns economic freedom in the area.

China's definition of free navigation and overflights does not conform with internationally recognized protocols. The country has always acted peacefully and diplomatically in addressing the situation. China should do the same. There is nothing free about threatening fishermen of other nations who have every right to the bounties of the sea. Beijing is not the only one with the right to get angry.