Japan is cooperating with Vietnam. The country will supply defense equipment and technology to Vietnam.
The security agreement was made when Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited Hanoi on Monday (19/10/2020). The two countries agreed to strengthen military and business amid fears of China’s growing aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
“This is a security step for both countries,” Suga said when he met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, as published by Reuters.
Japan against any steps which increase tension
He stressed Japan was against any steps to increase tensions at sea. Vietnam and a number of ASEAN countries have territorial disputes with China.
“On the SCS issue, it is important for all of us concerned countries not to rely on force or threats, but to work together towards a peaceful resolution, in accordance with international law,” he said, without mentioning anti-Chinese rhetoric.
Phuc also said the same thing. He stressed that both agreed to maintain freedom of navigation and flight in the LCS.
“Vietnam appreciates that Japan, one of the world’s leading powers, is actively contributing its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region and in the world,” he said.
Japan had argued with China
Previously, Japan argued with China over ownership of Senkaku / Diaoyu Island. Moreover, Japan also joined QUAD, an alliance with the United States (US), India and Australia which aims to “oppose” China in Asia.
The three QUAD countries and Japan will even conduct joint military exercises. The exercise is in the Bay of Bengal.
But economically, Japan has strong ties with China. In 2018, the Associated Press reported that the two countries had signed 500 agreements worth US $18 billion.
Meanwhile Vietnam, has the problem of overlapping ownership of Paracels Island in the LCS. China claims 80% of its SCS territory.
As a result of China’s growing enthusiasm at sea, a number of foreign media have reported that Vietnam was forced to postpone its energy exploration due to Beijing’s ‘disturbance’. The country is also forced to pay fines to contractors.
Japan itself has lifted the ban on military equipment sales since 2014. Apart from Vietnam, it is said that military equipment export are also being discussed with Indonesia and Thailand.
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