The two countries should properly “manage historical issues, and prevent new issues from emerging” in a bid to cut back on the “stumbling blocks”, Xi added. As I have written previously, during Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the Southeast Asian state in August, the two countries said they were looking at the transfer of two larger multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which were 90 meters in length (“See: “Philippines Gets First Japan Coast Guard Vessel”)”.
Advertisement
In an interview, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters Tran also promised Duterte that Vietnam, another claimant country in the disputed waters, to support the Philippine claim, but would focus more on the welfare of the fishers greatly affected in the maritime row. The sole exception was a picture of Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which lacked the flags. Abe told Aquino that Japan would discuss the matter.
However, Duterte’s diplomatic strategies have yet to be formulated.
According to news outlet, the move was prompted by Japan’s desire to limit the spread of China’s influence in the South China Sea, where the superpower is locked in territorial disputes with countries in the region.
A meeting between President Barack Obama and Duterte was canceled on Tuesday after Duterte lashed out at Obama.
During their meeting, President Duterte emphasized that Japan is an old friend and a pre-eminent partner of the Philippines.
During the Abe-Duterte talks, Japan formally made a decision to lend the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s TC-90 training aircraft to the Philippines.
It will be the first lending of defense equipment based on the agreement on defense equipment and technology transfer that Japan and the Philippines signed in February.
“The two leaders agreed on the necessity of continuing law enforcement cooperation and projects which will strengthen maritime capabilities of the Philippines”, the DFA said.
He then called on China to show self-restraint and take steps to improve the situation in the area.
Advertisement
These nations are in a territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea.
