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Suga opposes China's maritime actions in talks with Vietnam leader
Tokyo has serious concerns over "unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas," including Beijing's recent introduction of a law allowing its coast guard to use weapons against ships it views as intruding into its territory, the Foreign Ministry quoted Suga as telling Phuc.
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Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga waves next to his wife Mariko as he leaves for his first official overseas visit as PM, to Vietnam and Indonesia, at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan Oct.18 (Reuters/Kyodo)
P
rime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday said Japan "strongly opposes" China's growing maritime assertiveness during phone talks with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Tokyo has serious concerns over "unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas," including Beijing's recent introduction of a law allowing its coast guard to use weapons against ships it views as intruding into its territory, the Foreign Ministry quoted Suga as telling Phuc.
China has been stepping up its claim over the Senkaku Islands, a group of East China Sea islets administered by Japan. Beijing has also militarized outposts in the South China Sea disputed by Vietnam and other smaller neighbors.
In their 20-minute call, Suga told Phuc their countries are important partners in efforts to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific," touching on Japan's pledge to help Vietnam set up a cold chain distribution network for COVID-19 vaccines, the ministry said.
The leaders affirmed Japan's cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to improve the situation in Myanmar, where the junta continues to crack down violently on protestors opposed to February's military coup.
Suga has made it a priority to strengthen bonds with countries in Southeast Asia in an effort to counter China's growing influence, picking Vietnam and Indonesia for his first overseas trip after taking office last September.
