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Japan vows support for Philippines in China row

MANILA (Philippines) – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged support for Philippine maritime forces as both countries confront China in separate territorial disputes.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, presents Philippine President Benigno Aquino III with a topographical map of the country's third largest island of Mindanao at the conclusion of their joint press statement Saturday July 27, 2013 at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines. Photo: AP

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, presents Philippine President Benigno Aquino III with a topographical map of the country's third largest island of Mindanao at the conclusion of their joint press statement Saturday July 27, 2013 at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines. Photo: AP

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MANILA (Philippines) – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged support for Philippine maritime forces as both countries confront China in separate territorial disputes.

Following a meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III today (July 27), Mr Abe announced that Japan will provide a concessional loan to build 10 coast guard patrol boats for the Philippines.

Mr Aquino said the two reviewed security challenges both countries are facing and promised to cooperate to push for what he calls responsible action from international players in a reference to China.

Mr Abe says a key element of Japan’s efforts to revive the economy and promote regional peace and security lies in closer relations with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

ASEAN includes the Philippines and Vietnam, both of which have disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, China’s Defence Ministry today urged international vigilance of Japan’s military plans after it unveiled an interim report calling for strengthened armed forces, including the possible acquisition of the ability to hit enemy bases.

Japan’s proposal - its latest step away from the constraints of its pacifist constitution - is part of a review of defence policy by Mr Abe’s government, which released an interim report on the issue on Friday. Final review conclusions are due by the end of the year.

Japan’s Defence Ministry also said it would consider buying unmanned surveillance drones, create a force of Marines to protect remote islands, such as those disputed with China, and consider beefing up the ability to transport troops to far-flung isles.

“The sections about China in this report by Japan are playing on the same old themes, exaggerating the military threat from China, and have ulterior motives,” China’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on its website (www.mod.gov.cn).

“This year, Japan has come up with all kinds of excuses to continue to expand its armaments ... creating tensions in the region. These moves deserve the highest vigilance from neighbouring countries in Asia and from the international community,” it said.

Mr Abe took office in December for a rare second term, pledging to bolster the military to cope with what Japan sees as an increasingly threatening security environment including an assertive China and an unpredictable North Korea.

Mr Abe called on Friday for a leaders’ summit or a foreign ministers’ meeting between his country and China as soon as possible.

But Mr Abe’s appeal drew a cool reaction from China which accused Japan of lacking sincerity.

Over the past year, China’s stand-off with Japan over a string of uninhabited rocky islands in the East China Sea known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China has become more acrimonious.

China also believes that Japan has never properly atoned for its brutal invasion and occupation of parts of the country before and during World War Two. AGENCIES

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