A summit meeting was held by four countries called quads, Japan, the United States, Australia, and India, and measures against the new coronavirus, etc., were held toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific with China in mind, which is strengthening supremacy. In addition, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and space.
It was also agreed to hold an annual summit of the four countries.
The summit was held at the White House in Washington, DC, after 3 am Japan time, and was attended by President Biden of the United States, Prime Minister Morrison of Australia, and Prime Minister Modi of India.
This is the first time that a quad-four-country summit has been held face-to-face.
At the meeting, the four leaders reaffirmed the commitment of the four countries to share basic values towards the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" with China intensifying supremacy. We agreed to expand cooperation with various partners and accumulate concrete cooperation.
We also confirmed that we will cooperate in measures against the new coronavirus, including expanding vaccine production and supplying it to the Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, space, cyber, and clean energy, and made a statement on principles such as technology design, development, and utilization for important technologies such as high-speed, large-capacity 5G. It was adopted and the cooperation will be further strengthened.
Meanwhile, on the issue of climate change, Prime Minister Suga has announced his participation in a US-led initiative to reduce global emissions of "methane."
The four leaders then agreed to hold an annual summit for further development of cooperation.
In addition, over the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, Prime Minister Suga expressed serious concern about attempts to change the status quo with China in mind, and the four leaders are based on rules such as international law. We have confirmed that we will work together to respond to the challenge of marine order.
In addition, Prime Minister Suga expressed concern about the situation in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and expressed Japan's position that "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is important" on issues surrounding Taiwan.
In addition, the four leaders agreed to ask North Korea, which launched a ballistic missile earlier, to refrain from issuing provocations and to engage in substantive dialogue in accordance with the obligations of the UN Security Council resolution.
Furthermore, based on the fact that China and Taiwan have applied for membership in the TPP = Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, they also exchanged opinions on the future international order of the Indo-Pacific region.
On the other hand, at the beginning of the summit meeting, Prime Minister Kan said, "A big step to support the reconstruction of the Great East Japan Earthquake" about the removal of Japanese food import restrictions that the United States had continued after the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. I thanked President Biden.
Australian Prime Minister Morrison "Emphasis on Relations with ASEAN"
After the summit, Australian Prime Minister Morrison told reporters, "Quad is a practical, positive initiative that brings together future-thinking partners in the region we live in. We continue to focus. We agreed to proceed with the necessary efforts, "he said, and praised the confirmation by promoting cooperation in areas such as the provision of the new coronavirus vaccine to the international community and clean energy.
When asked if Australia could disregard the quad of the newly created security framework "Okas" with the United States and the United Kingdom this month, "the two frameworks reinforce each other." He answered, "In quad, we especially respect the ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Each country in quad attaches great importance to the relationship with the huge ASEAN, and we will look at the world, especially this region, from the perspective of ASEAN. That is important, "he said, recognizing that it is important for Quad to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.
In addition, Prime Minister Morrison said on Twitter, along with a photo of four leaders lined up, "sharing with each leader a vision for the future for a free, open and tough Indo-Pacific region, in a complex and ever-changing world. We had a great face-to-face discussion on how to address the challenges we face. "
Expert "I will not make a counter-decision until I decline the relationship with China."
Regarding the quad summit, a professor at Peking University, who is familiar with US-China relations, told NHK that "China has no opinion if the four countries deepen their cooperation, but they disagree with cooperation targeting China. We do not welcome the formation of a federation like the one during the Cold War by ideology. "
On the other hand, he pointed out that each of the four countries has deep economic and trade ties with China, saying, "The four countries are sitting in the same seat and issuing a joint statement, but they openly oppose China. I don't think I'm ready. Relations with China, including the United States, are so important that I can't give up a lot of financial interests. I won't decide to counter until I decline relations with China. "Let's do it," he said, saying that at this point it would be difficult for the four countries to unite against China through the quad framework.