Japan, Thailand Agree To Oppose Changing Status Quo By Force
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha have agreed that any attempt to change the status quo by force anywhere in the world is unacceptable.
At the beginning of their talks in Bangkok on Monday, Kishida said that together with Prayut, he wants to further strengthen friendship with Thailand, a strategic partner of Japan.
He added that Prayut has proposed that Thailand be upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partner of Japan. Kishida said he wants to give the proposal serious thought, as that would take bilateral relations to a higher level.
The leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine. They agreed to oppose infringements of sovereignty and territorial integrity, unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and intimidation and use of weapons of mass destruction anywhere around the world. They also agreed to cooperate with the international community and to continue to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.
Kishida and Prayut reconfirmed the cooperation between Japan and Thailand in efforts to realize a free, open Indo-Pacific region, with an eye to keeping China's assertiveness in the region in check. They also agreed that the countries will closely work together to address other issues, such as North Korea and Myanmar.
The two leaders also announced a possible agreement on defense equipment exports and technology transfers from Japan to Thailand.
Japan agreed to give around 380 million dollars in loans to help Thailand combat the coronavirus pandemic.