The foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan and the United States — a security cooperation group known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QD) — said on Monday they were deeply concerned about intimidating and dangerous maneuvers in the South China Sea and pledged to strengthen maritime security in the region, MTI reported.
The joint statement was issued after talks in Tokyo between the so-called “Quad” countries, attended by Australia's Penny Wong, India's Subrahmanjam Jaishankar, Japan's Goko Kamikawa and US's Antony Blinken.
The meeting came after security talks between Tokyo and Washington on Sunday in which the allies described China as the “biggest strategic challenge” facing the region.
We are deeply concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral move to change the status quo by force or coercion.
– The ministers' statement said, without mentioning China directly.
They also expressed similar concerns about the militarization of disputed areas and coercive maneuvers and intimidation in the South China Sea, including the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia.
In recent months, Chinese ships have repeatedly clashed with Philippine vessels around the disputed Thomas Reef II, although the two countries earlier this month reached a temporary agreement aimed at easing tensions.
The Quad also said it was working on a range of initiatives to maintain a “free and open maritime order,” including working with partners and plans to establish a new dialogue on maritime law.
“We are charting a course toward a more secure and open Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean by strengthening maritime security and regional awareness,” Antony Blinken told reporters after the meeting, adding that the United States would continue to work with its partners to ensure freedom of navigation and the unimpeded flow of lawful maritime commerce.
Washington announced Sunday that it plans a major overhaul of its military command in Japan to deepen coordination with its ally’s forces. It’s one of a series of measures the allies have taken to address the “changing security environment” and various threats posed by China, including increased naval activity in the East and South China Seas.
The Japanese Foreign Minister spoke about the growing uncertainty surrounding the international order and situation, Russia's attack on Ukraine, attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles.
He stressed the need to build cybersecurity capabilities and create training opportunities in the field of maritime security in order to protect and develop the prosperity of the Indian and Pacific Oceans region.
