Japan, Vietnam Oppose Bids to Change Status Quo in Regional Waters ‘By Coercion’

Japan, Vietnam Oppose Bids to Change Status Quo in Regional Waters ‘By Coercion’
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (L) and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi review honor guards in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sept. 12, 2021. Nguyen Trong Duc/VNA via AP
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The defense ministers of Japan and Vietnam agreed to oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo “by coercion” in regional waters, seemingly referring to China’s assertive activities in the East and South China Seas.

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang discussed regional security in the regional waters in a Nov. 23 meeting, confirming the countries’ cooperation in maintaining the existing international order.