US, Japan reiterate South China Sea commitments amid growing Chinese presence

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Japanese Defence Minister Taro Ko reiterated ir commitment to maintaining a 'rules-based order' in East and South China Seas on Saturday, August 29.

An official statement from US Department of Defence stated that Esper hosted Ko in Guam where both leers ackwledged strength of US-Japan alliance and held high-level talks to boost and expand bilateral defence cooperation. 

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'Rules-based order'

As per ANI, statement said, "Secretary Esper and Minister Ko exchanged views on ir shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary expressed serious concern regarding Beijing's decision to impose a national security law in Hong Kong, as well as coercive and destabilising actions vis-a-vis Taiwan". 

It furr ded, "Both ministers restated ir commitment to maintain a rules-based order in East and South China Seas, and more broly in region and world. Secretary welcomed Japan's efforts to strengn cooperation with or like-minded partners, including members of Association of Souast Asian Nations (ASEAN), India, Australia and trilaterally with United States and Republic of Korea". 

 move comes as China increases its military presence in South China Sea region. Moreover, China also has launched two sets of military drills off country’s east coast in a bid to display its power while countering rising US military presence in region. According to South China Morning Post, first exercise started in Yellow Sea on Saturday, August 29, and will continue until Thursday while ar drill began on Friday in Bohai Sea and will last a week. 

(Inputs/Im: ANI)

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