US-Japan voices’checking China’ at 2+2 talks… Criticism including the suppression of Hong Kong

Input 2021.03.16 19:07 | Revision 2021.03.16 19:08

The United States and Japan reaffirmed the realization of a’free and open India-Pacific’ at a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense (2+2) held in Tokyo on the 16th, and voiced criticism on China’s advance into the sea and the crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said, “The actions that do not conform to the existing international order are raising various tasks to the Japan-US alliance and the international community.” “We shared serious concerns about China’s maritime police law, opposing any unilateral action attempting to change the status quo, including.”

US Secretary of State Anthony Blincoln criticized China’s oppression of Hong Kong’s democratic groups as “using force to attack,” while Defense Secretary Austin pointed out that China’s military activities were “coercive actions”.

Meanwhile, according to Kyodo News, in a joint document released after the 2+2 talks, the two countries reaffirmed that the Senkaku Islands are subject to Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty, which stipulates the U.S. duty to defend Japan. The Senkaku Islands, effectively dominated by Japan, are a territorial dispute between China and Japan.

The United States and Japan also expressed “severe concerns over recent movements causing havoc in the region” of China’s implementation of the Maritime Police Act, which allowed the use of weapons on ships in the maritime border, in a joint document. The two countries then emphasized that “we decided to devote ourselves to opposing the coercive and destructive behavior of China.”

Earlier, the United States and Japan mentioned the North Korean issue and reaffirmed the importance of Korea-US-Japan cooperation.

At a press conference held after the 2+2 talks on the same day, Foreign Minister Motegi confirmed the importance of the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution for the realization of the complete denuclearization of North Korea. We also confirmed that we will continue to cooperate.”

At a press conference, Secretary of State Blincoln also emphasized the need for allies to respond jointly to the North Korean issue, saying, “Since I took office as Secretary of State, I have been talking with Foreign Minister Motegi and South Korean counterparts.” .