PNoy to meet Japan PM amid Chinese aggression
MANILA — President Benigno Aquino III will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in June amid the territorial disputes of their countries with China.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that Aquino will have a state visit to Japan from June 2-5 on the invitation of the Japanese government.
He will be received by His Majesty Japanese Emperor Akihito and Her Majesty Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for a welcome ceremony and a state banquet.
Aquino will then hold a meeting with Abe for the enhancement of the Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership and to exchange views on recent regional developments.
Abe will host a dinner for Aquino after their meeting.
Both the Philippines and Japan are embroiled in territorial disputes with China.
Aquino recently spoke against China's massive reclamation activities in the South China Sea, saying other nations should fear the actions of the Asian giant.
Before his trip to Japan, Aquino will first visit Canada in early May and will meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reaffirm the relationship between their countries.
"I look forward to meeting with President Aquino to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, development and security, benefiting the citizens of both nations," Harper said in a statement.
The statement said the two leaders will also discuss cooperation on a range of issues including countering threats to regional and global security.
Aquino and Harper will also meet with members of the Filipino community in Canada.
The Philippine government on Thursday accused China of resorting to name-calling since they could not defend the “unlawful claims in the South China Sea.
The government released a statement after the Chinese Communist Party-affiliated tabloid, Global Times labeled the Philippines a “cute little submissive” of the United States after the treaty allies launched this week a massive 10-day war games between their militaries.
“Unable to defend their unlawful position both on the core issue which is the ninedash line claim and their unilateral and aggressive activities, our northern neighbor has reduced its lack of response to name-calling once again,” Charles Jose, spokesperson of Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Jose said that China should align its positions and actions with the 2002 conduct of parties in the South China Sea and international law instead of throwing insults.
Jose was referring to the declaration on the South China Sea signed by China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations that calls on all claimant states to the resourcerich waters to stop actions, such as occupation and construction of features that will escalate tensions in the area.
The other three claimants to the South China Sea — Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei - are also ASEAN. (Philippine STAR News Service)