Foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Australia have expressed strong opposition to the use of force or coercion to unilaterally alter the status quo in the East and East China Seas.

Defence Minister David Johnston, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and their Japanese counterparts, Itsunori Onodera and Fumio Kishida voiced their opposition in a joint press release after a so-called 2+2 meeting in Tokyo on June 11.

The ministers stressed the importance of abiding by international law in settling territorial disputes in the region.

Japanese and Australian ministers shaking hands before talks (Photo: Reuters)

Minister Bishop told reporters after the meeting that Australia condemns provocative or coercive action as it relates to the disputes in the East Sea.

She also said Australia does not support any unilateral action that changes the status quo in the East China Sea.

The Japanese Diet’s Lower House Committee for Foreign Affairs on June 11 issued a resolution, calling upon China to refrain from actions further complicating the situation in the East Sea.

The resolution describes China’s oil rig placement as illegal, provoking a prolonged territorial dispute between Vietnam and China and causing tensions in the East Sea.  

It says unilateral actions to intimidate, coerce, or use force in territorial disputes are unacceptable.

The committee urged parties concerned to restrain themselves from unilateral actions and settle disputes through dialogue in accordance with international law.

Tensions are escalating in the East Sea after China placed its floating drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the East Sea.

China deployed vessels, including warships, and aircraft to the area to protect the rig, and its vessels have constantly intimidated and rammed Vietnamese law enforcement boats, injuring sailors and damaging their property.

At a recent reception for Vietnamese ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi, Bishop expressed Australia’s concern about the increased tensions and called on parties concerned to handle disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

At a recent Shangri-La Dialogue 2014 in Singapore, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also voiced Japan’s support for Vietnam and the Philippines in their territorial disputes with China, saying the use of force and intimidation to change the status quo cannot be justified.

Abe said that the rule of law is what makes the Asia-Pacific region stable, and that countries should observe international law, avoid resorting to force, and resolve conflicts peacefully.

The Japanese PM said he hopes parties concerned will work on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea very soon, and that Japan is considering providing patrol ships to Vietnam.

VOV/VNN