HANOI, Oct 20 (NNN-VNA) – Japan hailed an agreement in principle, to supply Vietnam with military gear and technology, as the two governments pledged today, to strengthen security and economic ties amid mounting concerns about China’s assertiveness in the region.
“It is a big step in the field of security for both countries,” Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga told reporters, after meeting his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, in Hanoi.
The two leaders also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace, security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, Phuc said.
Suga, who took office last month, after Shinzo Abe quit because of poor health, is making his overseas diplomatic debut this week, visiting Vietnam, the current chair of ASEAN, and Indonesia, the group’s largest nation.
“Vietnam welcomes Japan, a global power, to continue contribution to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Phuc said.
In a speech later, Suga said, Japan opposed any steps to heighten tensions in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and other ASEAN members have territorial disputes with China.
“Regarding the South China Sea issue, it is important for all countries concerned, not to rely on force or threat, but to work towards peaceful resolution based on international law,” Suga said, avoiding harsh anti-China rhetoric.
Back in Tokyo, Japanese Defence Minister, Nobuo Kishi, told reporters that Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force will conduct a joint drill with US and Australian navies around the South China Sea today, Kyodo news agency reported.
Kishi also agreed with visiting Australian Defence Minister, Linda Reynolds, to start talks to make it possible for Japan’s Self Defence Forces to protect Australian military assets, such as warships and aircraft, Kyodo said. Japan already has similar arrangements with the United States.– NNN-VNA
