Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed on Monday to step up security cooperation as China increases its military presence in waters bordering Southeast Asia.
This agreement means that some member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan have territorial rights that overlap with China’s in the South China Sea and East China Sea, even though Cambodia, which is not a disputed country, has close economic and diplomatic relations with the Chinese government. It was realized in response to what was claimed.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during talks held in Tokyo the day after the ASEAN-Japan Special Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation on Sunday, the two leaders confirmed that the two countries would begin dialogue at the vice-ministerial level of defense.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (Republican) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet shake hands before a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, December 18, 2023 (Kyodo News)
The paper quoted Kishida as saying that bilateral relations are expanding into various areas, including landmine clearance projects in Ukraine amid the continued Russian invasion.
According to the ministry, Mr Hun Manet, who was making his first visit to Japan since taking office in August, said he would work with Mr Kishida towards peace and stability in the region.
According to the ministry, at the same time as the meeting, Japan and Cambodia also exchanged seven documents related to partnership in areas such as digital and renewable energy.
Prime Minister Kishida concluded a three-day series of bilateral talks starting Saturday with ASEAN leaders who came to Japan to attend a special summit meeting.
The focus of ASEAN-Japan cooperation has shifted from business to security in recent years, as China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and is rapidly building artificial islands with military infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in the East China Sea, Chinese ships have repeatedly invaded waters near the Senkaku Islands, which are controlled by Japan and claimed by China. This group of uninhabited islands is called the Diaoyu Islands in China.
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