Japan and Thailand agree on a response to China's actions in the South China Sea.

The foreign ministers of Japan and Thailand agreed that ASEAN and its partners need to take unified action regarding China's construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea.

According to NHK, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai for the first time yesterday, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in Manila.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (left) and his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai. Photo: Kyodo

Mr. Kishida stated that ensuring stability at sea is essential for regional peace. Japan called for a peaceful, rule-of-law solution to China's land reclamation activities in the Spratly Islands, which are under Vietnam's sovereignty.

He urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to send a strong message on the issue. "The whole of ASEAN needs to send a strong message when leaders gather at the upcoming summit," Kyodo quoted Kishida as telling Don. The summit between member states and partners is scheduled to begin this weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Don agreed that the issue should be resolved through dialogue and that ASEAN members need to coordinate their actions.

Thailand is not a claimant in the South China Sea, while Japan is not directly involved in the dispute, but considers the sea lanes essential for importing oil and other products into the country.

According to VNE