The foreign and defence ministry of Japan and Australia conducted their ninth 2+2 meeting through video conferencing on Wednesday to discuss their strategic partnership for Indo-Pacific and the regions beyond. During the meeting, both countries reaffirmed their partnership for the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi discussed security cooperation and China’s increasing influence across the East and the South China Seas with their Australian counterparts Marise Payne and Peter Dutton.
A joint statement released by both ministries reflected their commitment to peace and security across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan Strait is also expected to be one of the focus points at this week’s G-7 summit, during which countries are predicted to discuss strategies to counter China’s increasing influence on the island.
The countries also presented a united front in opposing China’s “unilateral attempts to change status quo” and increased illicit activities in the South and East China, which violates the international framework. The ministries raised objections against China for its non-compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Besides security concerns, the plight of the Uyghurs and Muslim minorities was also discussed. According to the official statement, the countries have jointly requested China to grant unrestricted access to Xinjiang.
China’s latest laws, which leave Hong Kong with limited autonomy, were harshly criticized by both sides and the human rights violations of its citizens were also considered.
The ministries also briefly talked about the military coup in Myanmar and the assimilation of weapons of mass destruction by North Korea and requested all members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to abide by their obligations under the United Nation Security Council Resolutions.
As allies of the United States, Japan and Australia welcomed the country’s effort to maintain partnerships and its contribution to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Both the countries also suggested peaceful negotiations to resolve issues pertaining to the Taiwan Strait. However, while reiterating the importance of a peaceful solution, the countries registered their opposition to any action that might undermine the region’s peace and lead to conflict.
Under bilateral cooperation and security agreements, the countries committed to sharing strategic knowledge and awareness. To this end, plans were formulated to continue holding defence exercises between the two countries naval and military forces. The countries also committed to cooperation in sharing information pertaining to the space domain and its security.
Furthermore, bilateral and trilateral ties with the US were enforced and commitments were made during the meeting to ensure stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan, Australia Reaffirm Indo-Pacific Strategic Partnership in 2+2 Meeting
Japan and Australia’s Foreign and Defence ministers also discuss China’s growing influence across the East and the South China Seas during their Strategic Partnership meeting
June 10, 2021
SOURCE: NIKKEI ASIA