Minister of Defense Kishi visited the state-of-the-art British aircraft carrier "Queen Elizabeth" calling at the US Navy Yokosuka base in Japan, and cooperated with the two countries toward the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific". He showed the idea of further deepening.
The Royal Navy's state-of-the-art aircraft carrier "Queen Elizabeth" departed the United Kingdom for the Indo-Pacific region in May, and last month conducted joint training with the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. Army at sea south of Okinawa on the 4th. , Called at the US Navy Yokosuka base in Japan.
On the 6th, Minister of Defense Kishi visited Yokosuka to inspect the Dutch frigate and "Queen Elizabeth" who are participating in the carrier strike group, and exchanged opinions with the commander on board.
After this, Minister Kishi told reporters, "European countries are interested in the'change of maritime order not based on international law'that is occurring in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and demonstrating their presence will lead to regional peace and stability. It will contribute. "
"I am convinced that the British carrier strike group has great significance in calling at Japan, and that cooperation with Japan will promote peace and stability in the region in order to maintain and strengthen the" Free and Open Indo-Pacific ". ", He said, and expressed his intention to further deepen the defense cooperation between the two countries.
The aim of Japan is
Japan and the United Kingdom have confirmed that they will hold ministerial talks on foreign affairs and defense, so-called 2 plus 2, and defense ministers' talks in July to deepen defense cooperation. We would like to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries by calling at the port.
Behind the strengthening of cooperation is the presence of China, which is strengthening its marine expansion in the East China Sea and South China Sea.
In addition to the United Kingdom, France and Germany have dispatched ships to the Indo-Pacific region for joint training.
Japan also conducts joint training with the United States, Australia, and India under the framework of four countries called "quads."
In addition to the "quad", Japan wants to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific" by deepening defense cooperation with European countries, which will lead to regional stability.
The aim of England is
After leaving the EU-European Union, the United Kingdom has set up a "global bulletin" that looks not only at Europe but also at the world, and has continued to grow significantly and is involved in the Indo-Pacific region, which is expected to continue to grow. We have clearly set out an attitude to strengthen.
US and Dutch ships have also joined the carrier strike group centered on the carrier "Queen Elizabeth", and in this dispatch, joint training was conducted with Japan, the US, India, South Korea, etc., and this July Navigated the South China Sea.
The dispatch of aircraft carriers in collaboration with countries that share values is also expected to intensify the movement to advance into the ocean in the Indo-Pacific region and to restrain China, which is expanding its influence.
Britain has repeatedly urged China to maintain an order based on international rules, suggesting a desire to increase its presence in the region.
Relations with China were once said to be in the golden age, but have recently deteriorated over the enforcement of laws to crack down on anti-government movements in Hong Kong and human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
On the other hand, he emphasizes that cooperation with China is important for global issues such as climate change, and that the dispatch of aircraft carriers is not in conflict with China.
The United Kingdom positions Japan as the closest security partner in Asia, and the dispatch of aircraft carriers takes Japan to a new level of cooperation.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "How to show off armed forces is not constructive"
Regarding the dispatch of carrier strike groups in the United Kingdom and joint training with Japan and the United States, spokesman Wang Wenbin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said at a press conference on the 3rd of this month, "The way to show off armed forces is not constructive. We hope that it will play a constructive role in the peace and stability of the Pacific region and not vice versa. "
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato "Symbol of Japan-UK Defense Cooperation Entering a New Stage"
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference in the afternoon, "The British carrier strike group centered on'Queen Elizabeth'will call at Japan and joint training with the Self-Defense Forces will enter a new stage of Japan-UK defense cooperation with a long history and tradition. It symbolizes that the defense cooperation with the United Kingdom will contribute to the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific and the peace and stability of the region and the international community, and further close cooperation between Japan and the United Kingdom will be promoted. I want to expect that. "