Japan, Vietnam reiterate joint efforts to peacefully resolve South China Sea disputes

Japan and Vietnam on Sunday affirmed their commitment to peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea in line with international law, as Tokyo prepares to provide Hanoi with patrol ships to strengthen its maritime law-enforcement capabilities amid a territorial row with China.

Meeting on the sidelines of a Pacific Rim summit in Lima, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang agreed to promote domestic procedures for each country so as to implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-nation free trade agreement, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Preparations are under way to provide the patrols ships promised to Vietnam in September, Abe told Quang.

Vietnam is among a handful of Asian countries embroiled in territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. Abe promised Japan’s full support to Vietnam for its hosting of next year’s summit of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Quang praised a planned visit to Vietnam in next spring by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Abe and Obama, who will leave office in January, hailed each other’s leadership in strengthening the Japan-US alliance for peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.