Abe seeks region ruled by law, not intimidation

MANILA, Philippines - A region adhering to the “rule of law,” and not a “region of intimidation.”

Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underscored this yesterday, as he cited the Philippines and Japan being “strategic partners in substance” as both are embroiled in territorial disputes with China.

Abe said Japan has attached more and more importance to the Philippines as both countries “share a strategic interest” and cooperate to respond to issues nagging the Asia-Pacific region.

Abe spoke to the media at the Peninsula Manila hotel following the bilateral meeting and luncheon hosted by President Aquino in Malacañang yesterday.

Aquino and Abe have agreed to boost maritime and economic cooperation as both countries face security challenges with separate maritime disputes with China.

In a press statement after his bilateral meeting with the visiting Japanese leader, Aquino said their discussions reflected the dedication to actively pursue strategies for growth and positive engagement.

“We reviewed the security challenges that confront our nations, and pledged to cooperate in advancing our common advocacy for responsible action from international players. We believe that can be done by upholding the rule of law in international affairs, and by finding just and peaceful solutions to our territorial disputes and maritime concerns – so that we may create a secure and stable environment that leads to our collective progress,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he and Abe agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation, a pillar of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

“We thank the Japanese government for helping enhance the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard by building (10) multi-role response vessels and by providing communication systems for their use,” Aquino said.

The meeting comes as tensions have steadily risen between China and Japan, which accuses its growing neighbor of sending an increasing number of ships to exert its claim over unpopulated Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea.

The Philippines has also charged that China has used assertive means to exert claims in the conflict-driven West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Philippines and China are at odds over areas in the West Philippine Sea, while Japan and China are fighting over the Senkaku islands.

Several countries in the region collectively called on China to resolve disputes without resorting to coercion, intimidation or force.

China had announced it would continue to carry out regular patrols over territorial waters off Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands of Japan and the West Philippine Sea.

The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) announced China would continue to oppose any infringement on the country’s sovereignty over territorial waters by Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Initiatives for the Philippines

For Japan, Abe said the Philippines had been a strategic partner with whom they share fundamental values and many interests.

To further strengthen the relationship, Abe announced four initiatives of Japan to provide assistance to the Philippines.

First, the Philippines and Japan would have to jointly develop their economies and promote their vitality, Abe said.

“I continue to place high expectations on the President to arrive at a decision to adopt the Japanese system for digital terrestrial television, and we agreed to promote cooperation in terms of transportation infrastructure in Metro Manila,” Abe said.

He also announced provision of the newly created stand-by credit for disaster response amounting to 10 billion yen (about P4.4 billion).

“Second, to promote maritime cooperation. We confirmed to continue assistance toward the capacity building of the Philippine Coast Guard, and I have announced that we will provide 10 patrol vessels” for the Philippines through a yen loan, Abe said.

Third, Abe said they would strengthen assistance for the Mindanao peace process.

“In order to benefit future economic development, we have created a very accurate and leading-edge topographical mapping of Mindanao,” Abe said. He presented the map to Aquino after his press statement.

Fourth, Abe said they would strongly promote people-to-people exchange.

He said the objective of promoting tourism, in addition to the implementation of relaxation of visa requirements starting this month, would mean expanding the civil aviation relationship between Japan and the Philippines by increasing the number of scheduled flights and promoting youth exchanges to advance mutual understanding.

Moving forward, Aquino said the Philippines “fully intends to deepen our relationship with Japan so that we may bequeath to younger generations a legacy of prosperity, peace and productive solidarity between our countries.”

“So long as we stand alongside one another and build further on our long friendship, then certainly, we can move closer to realizing our common aspiration of a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific region,” Aquino said in his toast during the luncheon he hosted for Abe after their meetings and press briefing.

Playing more active role

Abe concluded yesterday his two-day official visit to the country and his tour of Southeast Asia, emphasizing that the Philippines will continue to be a trusted and important partner of his country.

The hawkish Abe also pledged to loosen limits on the military in Japan’s pacifist, post-war constitution and stand up to China over their East China Sea dispute.

China, on the other hand, viewed Abe’s visit to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines as Japan’s fervent desire to build a maritime alliance with certain regional countries in order to contain Beijing.

Abe said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an important partner for peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, to which Japan attaches priority.

He added that leaders he has met indicated their strong expectations for Japan to play a more active role within in the region.

Abe said he met US Vice President Joe Biden during a visit to Singapore and agreed to a greater role of Japan and US and the alliance should be further enhanced.

“The future of Asia is bright, calm and affluent, and peace and stability will come since this is a place that respects freedom,” he said.

Abe manifested last May the Japanese government’s support for the Philippines’ initiation of arbitral proceedings in its bid to clarify maritime zones and entitlements in the South China Sea.

Second visit

The first visit to Manila by a Japanese leader since December 2006, Abe’s visit highlights the growing strategic partnership between the two Asian nations who were bitter enemies in the World War II era, officials said.

“Japan is one of our two strategic partners. Certainly, it (Abe trip) would be a significant visit from a strategic partner,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters ahead of Abe’s arrival late Friday.

The last time that the prime minister of Japan – who was Abe as well – visited the Philippines was in December 2006 during his first term as the head of the Japanese government.

Japan is one of only two strategic partners of the Philippines, the other being the United States. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official development assistance as well as the second major source of approved investments and third source of tourist arrivals.

Abe said he was visiting the Philippines for the second time with renewed trust and confidence as a result of the May elections.

He said his government’s policies were able to obtain support from the Japanese people and with this backdrop, he would proceed with strategic diplomacy that would contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity.

“Going forward, I intend to attach particular importance to our relationship with the ASEAN and I have conveyed these thoughts to President Aquino,” Abe said.

Abe said the relationship between Japan and the Philippines was rooted in a long history of friendship and exchange.

“I would like to further reinforce this relationship by way of the four initiatives that I have just described going forward,” Abe said.

The Japanese leader said he could see from his own eyes the “cityscape of Manila was full of energy and indeed, the excellent Philippine economy.”

Abe cited the strong leadership of Aquino and said he was determined to further revitalize the Japanese economy as well.

In 1957, Abe said his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, visited the Philippines to become the first prime minister to visit the Philippines and since then, the two countries have continued to foster friendship.

“I laid a wreath at the Jose Rizal Monument. You can actually see Dr. Rizal’s monument and a bust erected in Hibiya Park in Tokyo as well. And I dearly sense the importance of youth learning from each other and fostering friendship from how much Dr. Jose Rizal impacted the youth of Japan at that time,” Abe said.

Aquino said the relations between the two countries had been extensive and historic.

“After overcoming conflict, we have developed both a strong alliance and a deep friendship. In fact, I remember that Japan was one of the first countries to support my mother’s government after the EDSA revolution, and that one of the first foreign trips may mother took as President was to Japan to meet with his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Showa,” Aquino said.

Now, the relations have only grown stronger on the foundation of the two countries’ shared belief in democracy and in the rule of law, he said.

“Always, our countries have looked out for each other’s interests, whether it comes in the form of economic cooperation, or through solidarity and aid during times of hardship for our peoples,” Aquino said.