Japanese Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide called attention on Saturday to China’s maritime operations around the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, saying that activities infringing on Japan’s sovereignty are continuing in the East China Sea.

Suga thus called for ensuring maritime order based on the rule of law at a meeting of the 18-nation East Asia Summit. China claims the islands, calling them Diaoyu.

The online EAS meeting followed a teleconference of the leaders of Japan, China, South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, where participants affirmed their countries’ cooperation in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

It was the first ASEAN Plus Three summit meeting since a teleconference held in April in response to the pandemic. It was also the first time for Suga to join a meeting with a Chinese or South Korean leader since he took office in September.

In the ASEAN-linked meeting, Suga announced plans to extend over 200 million dollars in medical aid and 2.5 billion dollars in economic support to the ASEAN nations, which were battered by the coronavirus crisis.

The Japanese prime minister also explained his government’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and suggested that Tokyo will help other countries’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, Suga sought support for resolving the issue of missile and nuclear development by North Korea and the past abductions of Japanese citizens by the reclusive country.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed his gratitude for support from Tokyo and Seoul in tackling the spread of coronavirus infections in China.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in requested international cooperation in recovering the global economy.

In the EAS meeting, which was also joined by leaders of the United States and Russia, Suga referred to Japan’s initiative for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and said the plan has many essential points in common with the principles espoused by ASEAN.

On the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, Suga said actions that run counter to the rule of law and raise tensions, as well as claims that are not in line with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, have been observed.

He also expressed concern over the situation in Hong Kong, where China is tightening its control. According to Japanese government officials, no leaders, including from China, raised objections to Suga’s remarks.

The participants in the EAS meeting included Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, who took part on behalf of President Donald Trump.

JIJI Press