Japan, Pacific Islands Want Status Quo Amid China Meddling

Japan and Pacific Island nations have expressed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion during a ministerial meeting held amid China's growing influence in the region, according to a chair's summary, Kyodo News reported.

During the meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters she agreed with her counterparts from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum on the importance of the "international rules-based order." I Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Facebook

During the meeting in the Fijian capital Suva, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters she agreed with her counterparts from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum on the importance of the "international rules-based order," while pledging continued support to the strategically important region.

The gathering is intended to lay the groundwork for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting scheduled for July in Tokyo. Japan has hosted the summit with the Pacific island nations and territories every three years since 1997.

The ministers vowed to continue close consultation in preparation for a successful gathering, the summary said. "Toward the summit, we will work together on challenges, especially in climate change and maritime issues, to meet Pacific nations and territories' needs," Kamikawa said.

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