Japan appreciates Australia's role in the East Sea

(Baonghean.vn)- Japanese Ambassador to Australia Sumio Kusaka emphasized that Canberra's participation in the four-party dialogue including the US, Australia, Japan and India is 'essential' to ensure freedom of navigation and trade in the East Sea.

Responding to criticism over the formation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, Mr Kusaka said Australia's involvement would not harm its relations with China.

“I don’t think this move will (harm the relationship between Australia and China), any country has the right to discuss with any other country that has the same views on issues of common interest. Therefore, I think China alone has the Shanghai Dialogue and the BRICS Dialogue with India, Russia and Brazil,” Kusaka told The Australian.

Japanese Ambassador to Australia Sumio Kusaka. Photo: AP

Japan’s ambassador to Australia said freedom of navigation was “vital” to Australia’s economic security. “Fundamentally, a free and open maritime region is important and the four countries of the United States, Australia, Japan and India all have a desire to maintain this goal. Furthermore, we have sea lanes of communication in this region, which is important to all four countries in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean,” he said.

Professor Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, said the revival of the quadrilateral dialogue should not be seen as provocative as China has criticized it. “If we allow China to divide the region and treat people individually, it is a recipe for overconfidence and Chinese dominance in the region,” said Professor Medcalf.

Lan Ha

(According to The Australian)