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Mark Esper, the United States Secretary of Defense and Japan’s Defense Minister Taro Kono met in Guam on Saturday. The two reiterated their opposition to any attempt to “unilaterally change the status quo by force” in the South China Sea.
ijing claims control of much of the South China Sea, the world’s busiest shipping lane.
However, their claims overlap with those of no less than six other countries.
To strengthen its position, China has been building military facilities, including airports, on natural and man-made islands in the disputed territory.
After meeting with his American counterpart at Andersen Air Force Base, Mr. Kono assisted in an online press conference where he praised the alliance between the United States and Japan.
The United States and Japan seek to strengthen their alliance (Image: GETTY)
China has been building artificial islands in the South China Sea (Image: GETTY)
He commented: “Regarding the South and East Seas of China, we confirm that Japan and the United States will strongly oppose countries unilaterally changing the status quo by force.”
Kono added that Esper had insisted that Washington’s promise to defend Japan includes the islets of the East China Sea controlled by the Japanese, which are currently under Tokyo control but claimed by Beijing.
On Wednesday, China fired four ballistic missiles into the South China Sea.
Kone condemned the move, warning it could further destabilize the already volatile region.
READ MORE: China Launches Missile Strikes Against US ‘Rioters’ As War Fears Rise
A Chinese base in the South China Sea (Image: GETTY)
Esper added: “We are steadfast in our opposition to Beijing’s destabilizing activities in the region.”
The United States and other Western powers frequently send warships on “freedom of navigation” patrols through the South China Sea to illustrate that they reject Beijing’s claim to sovereignty.
During their meeting, Mr. Esper and Mr. Kone also agreed to work towards establishing a joint missile defense system for Japan.
The Japanese government withdrew from an earlier plan, the Aegis Ashore missile defense system, in June.
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Protest against Beijing’s claim on the South China Sea (Image: GETTY)
Japan’s constitution prohibits you from participating in foreign wars (Image: GETTY)
This was intended to defend against North Korea, but the Japanese were concerned about its cost and safety.
Japan is expected to outline a new missile defense system policy in September.
This month, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which includes Kone, put forward a proposal that allows Japan to possess “the ability to intercept ballistic and other missiles even in the territory of an opponent.”
Critics claim this would undermine Japan’s war-reluctant constitution.
During their meeting, Mr. Kono and Mr. Esper also pledged to advance cooperation in outer space, electronic warfare and cyberspace.
Earlier this week, Kone met with General John Raymond, the chief of US space operations, for the first time since President Trump created the Space Force as a new branch of the US military last year.
Separately, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned of a possible confrontation between the United States and China ahead of the November presidential election.
The US military has been conducting ‘freedom of navigation’ patrols through the disputed area. (Image: GETTY)
Addressing La Trobe University in Melbourne, he said there was a possibility of “conflict due to miscalculation and escalation”.
The statesman added: “There is a real danger with a collapsing diplomatic relationship and an erosion of all forms of political capital between the two countries in their bilateral relationship.
“If you have an incident of a ship colliding with another ship, a plane colliding with another plane … then you have a crisis with a downed plane or a ship as to what happens.”
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