From Mexico to Buenos Aires: China, the theme that the Japanese foreign minister could not avoid on his tour of Latin America

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa’s tour of Latin America concluded on Tuesday with his departure from Buenos Aires for the United States, where will assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2023.

In parallel with his objectives of strengthening bilateral relations with the four countries of the region he visited, the international situation was also discussed, from the invasion of Ukraine to the Concern about China’s growing military activity in Southeast Asia.

In a press conference held Monday afternoon for Argentine media, the Japanese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman provided details of meetings the minister had held earlier in the day with Argentine authorities. The talks concerned the strengthening of trade relations between the two countries, “underlining the importance of Argentina as a source of energy, minerals and food in an international context that has changed”.

Before the consultation of clarionhe recognized it the question of China was addressed in the meetings which Yoshimasa maintained with the authorities of Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina, the four countries he visited during his Latin American tour.

“There is growing concern in Japan about what is perceived to be China’s growing military activity in the South China Sea. It’s not just Japan. Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam also have similar concerns. We share the concern that China tries to change the status quo by forceand we must raise our voice against the implementation of such unilateral acts,” said Yukiko Okano, deputy press secretary at Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

In his presentation, Okano clarified that the exchanges on the subject are not aimed at demonizing anyone, but are focused on “trying to explain what the Japanese position is on the state of affairs in East Asia”.

“Our partner and neighbor”

“China is our main trading partner and our neighbor. We have to maintain a stable relationship with Beijing. It’s not so much about a rivalry between the two countries, but about articulating what needs to be said. We need to cooperate where we have matters of mutual interest, especially on global issues, such as climate change and preventing future pandemics,” Okano concluded.

In an interview with Clarín published as part of his visit to Argentina, Minister Yoshimasa had already expressed the “concern” that China’s military actions and foreign relations have generated for Japan.

“They are the biggest strategic challenge so far for Japan’s peace and security, but also for the peace and stability of the international community and strengthening the international order based on the rule of law,” said Yoshimasa, who also made referring to the situation in the region due to tensions between China and Taiwan.

“Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are important not only for Japan’s security, but also for the stability of the international community. On this issue, Japan’s position remains the same as before, which is to prioritize a peaceful solution through dialogue between the parties,” she added.

Tension in the South China Sea

The tension to which the spokeswoman for the Japanese Foreign Ministry alluded refers to the construction of a series of artificial islands that China has been building for at least 5 years in the area, in an attempt to defend its position in the China Sea. Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, with which the territories are disputedsince the end of World War II.

The conflict revolves around two archipelagos in the South China Sea, the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands, claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The importance of the dispute lies in the fact that, if China’s request were accepted, the South China Sea would become Chinese continental waters, and not international ones, which it would allow Beijing to control the maritime flow of the areaconsidered essential for international trade.