Page 32 - Rethinking China Policy

Rethinking China Policy

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Abe next visited Indonesia.

The trip to Indonesia also underscored the importance of the Japanese-Indonesian working
relationship to support the rule of law in the maritime domain.

As an article published by The Japan Times which focused on the meeting between Prime Minister Abe
and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo highlighted:

The two countries will also strengthen maritime cooperation with regard to the Indonesian Navy’s patrolling of
areas in the vicinity of the Natuna Islands.
“Maritime cooperations is the top priority” for Tokyo, Abe told reporters.

The Indonesian Navy has been alert in monitoring and patrolling near the Natuna Islands. It has also been
cracking down on Chinese fishing boats operating illegally in its exclusive economic zone.

Abe also announced that Tokyo will provide Indonesia with yen loans worth ¥73.9 billion for irrigation and
coastal protection construction projects.

In response, Jokowi said the two leaders had agreed to hold a “two plus two” meeting of their defense and
foreign ministers in Jakarta by the end of the year.

China recognizes Indonesian sovereignty over the Natuna Islands but at the same time argues that the two
countries have overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests in the area that need to be resolved — an
assertion Indonesia rejects.

Indonesia has also proposed cooperating with Japan on oil and gas exploration in the isles’ vicinity.

On other matters, Jokowi and Abe both agreed to closely communicate with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on
maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. They also reportedly agreed on the importance of the
“rule of law” and peacefully solving disputes — an apparent allusion to the territorial disputes in the South China
Sea.

Finally, on January 16, 2017, Prime Minister visited Vietnam and met with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc..
This completed his regional tour and laid out a clear way ahead with regard to maritime security and
enforcing a rules based international regime.

According to The Japan Times, Abe pledged new security related aid to Vietnam during his visit.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that Japan will provide six patrol vessels to Vietnam as a part of a fresh
yen loan offer totaling ¥120 billion to the Southeast Asian country to help its maritime safety efforts amid
China’s expanding activities at sea.

The patrol vessels are aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation, Abe said at a news conference following talks
with his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, in Hanoi, held at a time when uncertainty is looming over
incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam is embroiled in a territorial row with China in the contested South China Sea, along with four other
governments.
Second Line of Defense

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