Japan Seeks Eu Cooperation To Counter China
Japan's defense minister has stressed the importance of cooperation with the EU to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region amid China's rise in activities.
Kishi Nobuo made his comments on Thursday during a speech at a virtual meeting of the European Parliament's security and defense subcommittee. He became the first Japanese defense minister to attend such a session.
Kishi said about 40 percent of Europe's external trade passes through the South China Sea and highlighted China's "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion" in the region.
He added that China was building facilities and conducting military exercises in these waters.
Kishi also said Japan's challenges in the Indo-Pacific region were the same as those facing European countries in their own region.
The minister added it was important for every country to strongly oppose behavior that raises tension and to send out a clear message that international order, based on the rule of law, was crucial.
He also welcomed the deployments of frigates to the Indo-Pacific region by European countries, including Germany.