The heads of the diplomatic and defense ministry of the United States and Japan reaffirmed their determination to denuclearize North Korea and directly addressed China, clarifying the will of the check.
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blincoln and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin began a tour to Japan and South Korea the day before, and held a meeting of Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee on the 16th, and so-called 2+2 talks.
They said in a statement, “I urge North Korea to reaffirm its commitment to complete denuclearization and to comply with its obligations under the UN Security Council resolution.” In addition, the ministers also confirmed the need for an immediate resolution of the Japanese abduction issue.
The two countries said, “Trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan and Korea is very important for security, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Both the United States and Japan explained that “the strength of the alliance is amplified in the network of shared values and cooperation on democracy.” At the same time, while sharing the results of the quad (US, Japan, India, Australia) summit that was held earlier, it also promised cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN and ASEAN).
Earlier, the US State Department emphasized the cooperation of the three countries, saying, “There is no more important relationship than the relationship between Korea and Japan,” even through the data’Reconfirmation of the Unbreakable US-Japan alliance’ in the name of a spokesman ahead of Minister Blincoln’s visit to Japan on the 14th.
The Ministers and Ministers also reaffirmed that the US-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Along with this, Japan decided to strengthen its defense capabilities and further strengthen the US-Japan alliance, and the United States emphasized its willingness to support Japan’s defense through all capabilities, including nuclear weapons.
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| On the 16th, the US and Japan are holding a joint press conference after the 2+2 talks. © AFP=News1 |
In addition, amid increasing geopolitical competition and challenges such as novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), climate change, and revitalization of democracy, the two countries pledged to promote a related international order for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
◇China directly mentions “causing problems in the international community”
In particular, they drew attention by stating that “China’s actions inconsistent with the existing international order are raising political, economic, military, and technical challenges to the alliance and the international community.”
In recent US-led diplomatic statements, Japanese media said this is the first time that they have directly addressed China and criticized the advancement of the ocean.
The US-Japan foreign affairs and defense ministers pledged to oppose China’s coercion and unsafe behavior.
They also confirmed that they support unhindered legal trade in international law, including freedom of navigation and flying over the air, and the legal use of other seas.
Both ministers expressed serious concern over China’s maritime police law (recognizing the use of weapons by the Chinese maritime border), while reaffirming that the Senkaku Islands were included in Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty.
In addition, it confirmed the US’ strong will to defend Japan, including this.
The United States and Japan noted that they oppose any unilateral action to change the situation, that is, to undermine Japan’s administrative measures on the island.
Both sides emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and raised objections to China’s illegal maritime occupation in the issue of sovereignty over the South China Sea.
He recalled that this matter was final in July 2016 by the Philippine-Chinese Arbitration Tribunal established under the 1982 Maritime Convention and was legally binding on both parties.
China has established a military outpost on an artificial island, claiming sovereignty over 90% of the seas in the South China Sea based on the maritime boundary line’Namhae Ninth Line’. There are conflicts with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan over the territory’s sovereignty.
In this regard, the Permanent Arbitration Court (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, in its ruling on the dispute over the territorial rights of the South China Sea between China and the Philippines in July 2016, found that China’s claim of “historical rights” has no legal basis, and that China infringed on Philippine sovereignty did.
Ministers also expressed serious concern over the situation of human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.