Japan, Uk Agree To Strengthen Security Ties
Japan and Britain have agreed to strengthen cooperation on a free and open Indo-Pacific with China's increasing maritime activities in mind.
Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo held an online meeting with their British counterparts Dominic Raab and Ben Wallace on Wednesday for about two hours. It was the fourth so-called "two-plus-two meeting" between the two countries.
Motegi said the two countries share basic values and principles. He said bilateral cooperation is more important than ever in order to strengthen a rules-based free and open international order.
Kishi expressed concern over China's new law that authorizes its coast guard to use weapons. He said the law should not be used in a way that violates international law.
The four ministers shared concerns about the situation in the East China and South China seas and agreed they strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.
The British side explained its intention to send the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to East Asia later this year. Japan welcomed the visit, saying it will contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ministers confirmed the need to strengthen bilateral security cooperation by arranging joint exercises between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the British Armed Forces.
The ministers also expressed grave concern over China's handling of the situation surrounding Hong Kong, in particular the national security law for the territory. The law is designed to crack down on anti-government movements in Hong Kong.
They also shared their concerns about the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.