Japan, Us Take Part In Foreign Minister Talks
The top diplomats from Japan, the United States, Australia, and India have held phone talks on promoting their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar participated in Thursday's call.
Motegi said that the four countries have an increasingly important role at a time when the existing international order is being challenged.
He also expressed "serious concern" about a Chinese law put in place earlier this month authorizing the country's coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships deemed to have illegally entered its waters.
The officials agreed to "strongly oppose unilateral and forceful attempts to change the state quo" in the East and South China seas, where China has engaged in maritime activities.
They also agreed to further deepen engagement and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Pacific island nations, and European countries.
The officials agreed on the need to swiftly restore a democratic political system in Myanmar following the recent military coup. They also discussed North Korea and the coronavirus pandemic.
After the talks, Motegi told reporters that the conversation had been hosted by Secretary Blinken and that it demonstrated the new US administration's strong commitment to realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
He added that the officials agreed on the importance of cooperation among their nations' leaders.
The four countries are planning to hold an online summit as early as this month.