Cambodia, Japan reaffirm cooperation against China's maritime actions in South China Sea

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met with Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on Sunday and agreed to cooperate with Tokyo against China's maritime activities in South China Sea (SCS). leers also discussed North Korea's aggravated missile tests and shared mutual concern against it. Kishida also appreciated Cambodia's efforts to break delock in Myanmar, NHK World reported.

leers also discussed bilateral security situation in wake of escalated Chinese aggression in Indo-Pacific region. y also talked about strengning relations in fields covering tre, investment, education, infrastructure, defence and security, and post-pandemic recovery, Cambodian officials informed. In dition, PM Sen also reaffirmed Cambodian commitment to supporting Japan in security and international order.

Cambodia & Japan agree to bolster cooperation against China and NK

In meeting held in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, Kishida raised concerns over China's assertive activities in South and East China Sea, where south-east Asian nations like Taiwan, Philippines, and Indonesia face regular infringement of regional security by Beijing.

Notably, China's new coercive behaviours have been accompanied by a rapid ministrative buildup comprising increasing numbers of patrols in South China Sea, which is deemed as a massive threat to strategic Indi-Pacific tre corridor. Moreover, from late 2013, Beijing has also vanced construction of massive artificial islands on six reefs in Spratly Archipelago, escalating threat to regional security in South-East Asian islands countries.

Meanwhile, North Korea has also remained a cause of concern for Japan after Pyongyang escalated its ballistic missile test over time despite being banned from conducting such activity, including tests of any range, by a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions

Japan and China are major donors to Cambodia

It is to mention that, China is one of major donors in Cambodia, which is followed by Japan. Tokyo has backed large infrastructural developments and construction of bridges across Mekong River and concrete ros linking to Phnom Penh with or provinces. Japan alongside US has also remained concerned over Beijing's new investments at Cambodian Ream Naval Base, increasing potential military operations and future base rights. naval base faced Gulf of Thailand, jacent to South China Sea, where Beijing has attempted to suppress it's neighbouring island nations.

Prior to his visit to Cambodia, PM Kishida was in India to bolster bilateral relations between nations on March 19. Both leers held an extensive and productive discussion on economic growth and development with Japan announcing an investment of 5 million ten in India over next 5 years. In bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japan also underscored climate change, clean energy, infrastructure development, and cultural cooperation.

(Image: AP)