Golez: We are now witnessing the forging of stronger maritime cooperation among Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam under the initiative of Japan, in order to counteract the territorial aggressiveness of China. With Japan's Abe in the lead, it is easy to see the US behind this emerging the Trump administration. In the wings is India which had very recent talks with Vietnam and Indonesia touching on the South China Sea situation.
I quote from this article:
"To establish the rule of law in the South and East China seas, where Beijing is pursuing maritime advances, countries concerned should promote even closer cooperation.
"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting three Southeast Asian countries and Australia.
"In the Philippines, Abe held talks with President Rodrigo Duterte two days in a row, during which they agreed to have closer cooperation over maritime security. The visiting prime minister also unveiled a plan to provide Manila with economic cooperation totaling ¥1 trillion over five years from public and private sources.
"Regarding a July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that clearly denied Beijing’s claims of its sovereignty over the South China Sea, Duterte told Abe that he hopes to solve the issue peacefully based on international law.
"Abe emphasized that he will “call for the rule of law” at meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"This year the Philippines will serve as ASEAN chair, a position that plays an important role in facilitating meetings of leaders and ministers, in addition to coordinating the compilation of joint documents. It was significant for Abe to confirm bilateral cooperation with the country that assumes this role, considering the fact that some member countries, most notably Cambodia, take a pro-China stance."
I quote from this article:
"To establish the rule of law in the South and East China seas, where Beijing is pursuing maritime advances, countries concerned should promote even closer cooperation.
"Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting three Southeast Asian countries and Australia.
"In the Philippines, Abe held talks with President Rodrigo Duterte two days in a row, during which they agreed to have closer cooperation over maritime security. The visiting prime minister also unveiled a plan to provide Manila with economic cooperation totaling ¥1 trillion over five years from public and private sources.
"Regarding a July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that clearly denied Beijing’s claims of its sovereignty over the South China Sea, Duterte told Abe that he hopes to solve the issue peacefully based on international law.
"Abe emphasized that he will “call for the rule of law” at meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"This year the Philippines will serve as ASEAN chair, a position that plays an important role in facilitating meetings of leaders and ministers, in addition to coordinating the compilation of joint documents. It was significant for Abe to confirm bilateral cooperation with the country that assumes this role, considering the fact that some member countries, most notably Cambodia, take a pro-China stance."
Japan should step up close maritime cooperation with others over China
The Yomiuri ShimbunTo establish the rule of law in the South and East China seas, where Beijing is pursuing maritime advances, countries concerned should promote even closer cooperation.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting three Southeast Asian countries and Australia.
In the Philippines, Abe held talks with President Rodrigo Duterte two days in a row, during which they agreed to have closer cooperation over maritime security. The visiting prime minister also unveiled a plan to provide Manila with economic cooperation totaling ¥1 trillion over five years from public and private sources.
Regarding a July ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that clearly denied Beijing’s claims of its sovereignty over the South China Sea, Duterte told Abe that he hopes to solve the issue peacefully based on international law.
Abe emphasized that he will “call for the rule of law” at meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
This year the Philippines will serve as ASEAN chair, a position that plays an important role in facilitating meetings of leaders and ministers, in addition to coordinating the compilation of joint documents. It was significant for Abe to confirm bilateral cooperation with the country that assumes this role, considering the fact that some member countries, most notably Cambodia, take a pro-China stance.
During their meetings, Abe and Duterte confirmed Japan’s provision of 40-meter-long patrol boats to the Philippine Coast Guard and assistance in developing human resources.
Manila has already used one of the boats for patrol activities. The country’s improvement in its respone capacity is important to keep China’s maritime advances in check.
U.S. commitments vital
In talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the two leaders agreed that their countries will closely work together with the new U.S. administration, which will be led by President-elect Donald Trump. With an eye on China, the two leaders also called for exercising self-restraint not to take any action that could heighten regional tension in the South China Sea, including militarizing footholds.
Abe and Turnbull attended a signing ceremony for the revised Japan-Australia Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which added stipulations on the provision of ammunition — an arrangement that has been enabled under security-related laws. We highly welcome the fact that Japan and Australia are steadily deepening their security cooperation.
In regards to the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade pact, the two leaders reaffirmed their position to consider it a critical issue that should be a priority. Japan and Australia must continue to play a leading role in expanding free trade in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.
In this series of talks, Abe stressed that U.S. commitments are essential to ensure regional peace and prosperity. The prime minister also aims to confirm the importance of maritime security cooperation involving the United States when he visits Indonesia and Vietnam for talks with their leaders.
With Trump’s stance on foreign policy still unclear, the countries concerned have to work together to urge the United States to understand how important it is for the country to focus on Asia in both politics and the economy. Japan in particular bears a heavy responsibility in these efforts.
Abe intends to visit the United States in the near future to hold talks with Trump. It is important for the prime minister to coordinate and share his views on Asia with the new president, based on the outcome of his latest visits to the four countries.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 15, 2017)Speech
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