Quad Leaders To Create Working Groups
The leaders of Japan, the United States, Australia and India have agreed to collaborate more closely through a series of working groups devoted to key issues, such as the coronavirus response.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held their first so-called Quad summit on Friday night, Japan time. They spoke online for more than 90 minutes.
The leaders agreed to assemble groups of experts to tackle issues related to coronavirus vaccines, emerging technology, and climate.
Suga said he hopes the countries will coordinate to promote "a free and open Indo-Pacific" and achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, including through efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The leaders agreed with Suga's suggestion that they should work closely with other countries toward this goal.
They pledged to deepen their cooperation based on their shared values -- support for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, the peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity.
Suga raised concerns about the situation in Myanmar following the military coup.
He said Japan has demanded that the military immediately stop using violence against civilians, release people who have been detained, and reinstall the democratic government.
All of the leaders emphasized the urgency of restoring democracy in Myanmar.
The Japanese prime minister also expressed strong opposition to China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas.
He expressed grave concern about China's new coast guard law, which includes stipulations that are inconsistent with international law.
The leaders confirmed that they will collaborate to meet challenges to the rules-based maritime order in the area.
They said they will prioritize the role of international law, particularly as it is reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Suga also expressed strong concern about the reforms to Hong Kong's electoral system, which were introduced during China's National People's Congress, and the human rights situations in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
On North Korea, the leaders affirmed their commitment to its complete denuclearization in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
The leaders responded positively to Suga's request for their understanding and cooperation to resolve the issue of Japanese abductees as soon as possible.
They agreed to hold an in-person summit by the end of the year.
Suga later told reporters that the meeting helped the four countries achieve a "new stage" in their relationship, and that they will work as a core group to achieve ambitious goals with concrete results.