Japan, Vietnam agree broadly on defense transfer

HANOI, October 20 ------ Japan hailed an agreement in principle to supply Vietnam with military gear and technology, as the two governments pledged on Monday 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 in a joint media appearance. 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 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Indonesia, the group’s largest nation. “Vietnam welcomes Japan, a global power, to continue to actively contribute to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity,” Phuc said.

In a speech later Monday, 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 toward peaceful resolution based on international law,” Suga said, avoiding harsh anti-China rhetoric. Back in Tokyo, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters that Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force will conduct a joint drill with U.S. and Australian navies around the South China Sea on Monday, Kyodo news agency reported.

Kishi also agreed with visiting Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds to start talks to make it possible for Japan’s Self Defense Forces to protect Australian military assets such as warships and aircraft, Kyodo said. Japan already has similar arrangements with the United States.

Source: inquirer.net