Japan and Pacific island nations on Monday vowed to resist any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion, the chair’s summary said at a ministerial meeting held amid China’s growing influence in the region. expressed opposition.
During a meeting in Fiji’s capital Suva, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters that while she agreed with the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum on the importance of a “rules-based international order,” He pledged continued support. important area.
Ministers from Japan and Pacific Island countries will hold a meeting in Suva, the capital of Fiji, on February 12, 2024 (Kyodo News)
According to the summary, the ministers agreed that Japan would release treated radioactive wastewater from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, a concern raised by some forum countries. They agreed on the importance of providing explanations based on “scientific evidence.” .
The gathering aims to lay the foundations for the 10th Pacific Islands Summit, scheduled for July in Tokyo. Since 1997, Japan has hosted a summit meeting with Pacific island states and territories every three years.
According to the summary, ministers pledged to continue close consultations to make the meeting a success.
Mr. Kamikawa said, “In the lead-up to the summit, we will work together on challenges, especially in climate change and ocean issues, and respond to the needs of Pacific countries and the region.”
The Japanese government considers its partnership with the region important as it seeks to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific amid China’s increasing maritime assertiveness and economic influence. Tokyo supports small countries and regions in everything from economic development to climate change and resilience to natural disasters.
In the latest sign of Beijing’s expansion into the Pacific, where the United States also competes for influence, Nauru last month severed ties with Taiwan in favor of mainland China, calling the self-ruled democratic island an “independent and independent country.” He said that he no longer recognizes the island as a “traditional island.” Not as a “country,” but rather as an “integral part of Chinese territory.”
Similar steps to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China were taken in 2019 by Kiribati and the Solomon Islands, which signed security agreements with China in 2022.
China, which views Taiwan as a rebel province, has made no secret of its ambitions to unify Taiwan with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks to reporters after a ministerial meeting in Suva, the capital of Fiji, on February 12, 2024 (Kyodo News)
The Chinese government has also militarized outposts in disputed areas of the South China Sea and repeatedly invaded territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, a group of small islands in the East China Sea controlled by the Japanese government but claimed by Beijing. are doing.
The summary did not mention any specific examples, but stated that the ministers expressed “opposition to any war of aggression” and “strong opposition to any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion anywhere in the world.” Stated.
Kamikawa said the drainage was being done “in accordance with relevant international safety standards and practices” in an apparent effort to address potential concerns in some Pacific Island countries about wastewater from the Fukushima plant. He explained the government’s position that there are We will continue to work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Chinese government has strongly opposed the release of the film since before it began opening in August last year, but Japan has been extremely careful about its release.
Among other topics at Monday’s meeting, the ministers expressed “grave concern” over what they called a surge in North Korea’s launches using ballistic missile technology, and called for North Korea to “receive serious threats” from Japan, the United States and others. He urged the government to accept “repeated offers for dialogue.” America and Korea.
The leaders also stressed the importance of early reform of the UN Security Council, including expanding its permanent and non-permanent membership, and touched on issues that Japan has been pursuing, the summary said.
PIF consists of the overseas territories of Australia, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and France. New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
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