Japan, US, Australia urge peaceful resolution www3.nhk.or.jp
Japan, the United States and Australia have urged that disputes in the South China Sea be resolved peacefully.
Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Laos on Monday. It's the first strategic discussion among the 3 nations in nearly 3 years.
They agreed that the disputes should be resolved peacefully under the rule of law after an arbitration tribunal in The Hague this month rejected China's claims in the South China Sea.
The three also said they will urge China to adhere to international rules at a foreign ministers meeting of the East Asia Summit and a ministerial conference of the ASEAN Regional Forum on Tuesday.
They also issued a joint statement affirming close coordination to maintain peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region.
The statement said the 3 countries are opposed to any action that increases tension in the East China Sea. It also condemned North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs and called on Pyongyang to refrain from further provocation.
Kishida told reporters that Japan will work with the US, Australia and other countries at a series of meetings to be held on Tuesday.
He added that he will make clear that Japan is committed to upholding the rule of law in the region.
Published Date:2016-07-26