On Monday top diplomats from Japan, US, Australia and India met to discuss security concerns and joint support to reinforce maritime safety and cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region amid growing tensions with China.
At the meeting hosted in Tokyo by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmayam Jaishankar were expected to share strong opposition to Beijing’s escalating assertiveness in the South China Sea.
China has triggered growing tension with many Asia-Pacific nations with its sweeping claims over the South China Sea and its crucial maritime trade routes. It also claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. China’s military expansion has been criticized for lack of transparency.
The four ministers were expected to discuss cooperation to counter cyber attacks, deal with disinformation and ensure maritime security.
They are also looking to support other countries in the region to strengthen their abilities in those areas. Kamikawa said in her opening statement that maritime security in the region in unstable, so unity and cooperation is needed more than ever among the Quad countries in securing a rules-based free and open international order.
Kamikawa said escalating tensions in a certain region and cyberattacks by a certain country can spill over to others in the region and increase their risks. She said, ‘In order to have the prosperity in the region, we must ensure stability of the foundation in maritime, cyber and space domains’.
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