U.S. Eyeing Online Summit with Japan, Australia, India
13:57 JST, February 7, 2021
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has approached Japan, Australia and India about holding a four-nation online summit, according to sources related to Japan-U.S. diplomacy.
The goal of the meeting is to affirm the countries’ cooperation to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific” vision in light of China’s attempts to change the status quo in the region by force.
It would be the first summit of the leaders of Japan, the United States, Australia and India if the meeting takes place.
The countries’ foreign ministers met for the first time in New York in September 2019 and held a second meeting in Tokyo in October to bolster cooperation. The countries are aiming to further strengthen ties by upgrading the participants from foreign ministers to leaders.
To counter China, the Biden administration is attaching importance to the four-nation framework that shares basic values such as freedom and democracy.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Biden also agreed to promote cooperation among the four countries in telephone talks on Jan. 28.
The four leaders are also expected to discuss human rights issues in China, including Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, as well as measures against the novel coronavirus.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
China Conducts Naval Blockade Exercise in Miyako Strait; CCG Ships Near Senkaku Islands Given Stronger Weapons
-
New Developments Seen in China’s Maritime Expansion; Japanese Govt Official Urges Calm, Stout Response
-
U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel File 2 Lawsuits after Biden Blocks $14.9 Billion Deal
-
Japan to Again Propose Frigate Development With Indonesia; Seeks to Enhance Security Cooperation With East Asia Nations
-
Stipulations in New Guidelines Key Step to Strengthen Japan’s Nuclear Deterrence
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Prehistoric Stone Tool Cut Out of Coral Reef and Taken Away in Kyushu island; Artifact was Believed to Have Been Dropped in Sea During Prehistoric Jomon Period
- Indonesia Launches Free School Meal Program with Support from Japan; Ishiba Currying Favor with New President
- New Year’s Ceremony Held at Imperial Palace (UPDATE 1)
- Princess Kako Visits Imperial Palace on Her 30th Birthday
- Tire of Landing Gear of JAL Plane Goes Flat at Haneda; No Injuries Reported, but Runway Closed 25 Minutes