Prime Minister Suga, who is visiting the United States, will attend a summit meeting called Quad by the four countries of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India on the early morning of the 25th of Japan time.
In addition to confirming the cooperation of the four countries with China in mind, it is expected to compile a joint statement that includes measures against the new coronavirus and climate change measures.
Prime Minister Suga arrived at an air force base on the outskirts of Washington, DC, on a government plane on the morning of the 24th of Japan time, and held a summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi at his hotel.
In this, the two leaders agreed to strongly oppose economic intimidation and unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and South China Sea, with China in mind.
Prime Minister Suga will attend the first meeting of four countries with Quad-US, Australia and India on the early morning of the 25th.
At the meeting, as China strengthens its supremacy, it will confirm cooperation for the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific, as well as new coronavirus countermeasures, important technologies such as high-speed and large-capacity 5G, and climate change. It is expected that a joint statement will be compiled that incorporates the results of discussions on countermeasures.
In addition, at the meeting, as part of cooperation in the space field, it is expected that the data obtained by artificial satellites will be shared among the four countries and agreed to be useful for grasping the marine situation, and high quality infrastructure. We will also discuss how cooperation should be regarding maintenance and cyber security.
Furthermore, it is expected that opinions will be exchanged on the response to Afghanistan, where the Islamist Taliban has regained power, and the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea.
Prime Minister Suga will also meet with Australian Prime Minister Morrison and US President Joe Biden one after another.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Do not undermine the interests of other countries"
Regarding the quad summit meeting to be held on the 25th of Japan time, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on the 24th, "Any regional cooperation framework targets other countries or damages the interests of other countries. Don't do it. A small group that is exclusive and targets other countries is not in tune with the times and is unpopular. "
He added, "It is clear that China is contributing to the protection of peace, stability and prosperity in the world and the Asia-Pacific region. The countries concerned should see China's development accurately."
Meanwhile, the Communist Party media "Global Times" published an editorial entitled "Quad is about to become a criminal organization in the Indo-Pacific region" on the 24th.
"The goal of the quad is to siege China," he said, expressing caution. "It is a wasteful effort to be unable to siege the sustainable development of China and the progress of the Chinese people." I point out.
He added, "We must warn Japan, India and Australia not to follow the United States. Once we step on the red line of China's core interests, China will punish without hesitation." We are restraining the strengthening of cooperation.