PALM summit stresses maintaining maritime order
The two-day summit meeting of leaders from Japan and the Pacific Islands region closed here on Saturday after adopting a declaration reiterating the importance of maintaining maritime order.
“Reiterating the importance of peace and security in the Pacific Ocean, the Leaders reaffirmed that maritime order should be maintained in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law,” the Leaders’ Declaration of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) said.
The reference to maritime order was apparently intended to serve as a restraining influence on China, according to observers.
The PALM leaders’ declaration, titled “Fukushima Iwaki Declaration,” also incorporated a Japanese pledge to extend ¥55 billion in aid over the next three years.
The PALM forum was attended by leaders from 17 nations, consisting of 14 Pacific island countries as well as Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirmed Japan’s intention to cooperate with other PALM nations in the defense of maritime security, emphasizing the importance of acting “based on the rule of law.”
The emphasis was also evident in the latest declaration, which reiterated the importance of “peacefully resolving international disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force.”
A similar declaration adopted in the 2012 PALM meeting included a sentence tantamount to urging China to exercise self-restraint — but without using the phrase “use of force.” In this respect, the latest declaration was more explicit in highlighting China’s forceful stance in achieving its maritime advances.
At the opening ceremony, Abe urged other PALM nations to establish “a society of Pacific citizens” in which the values of freedom and democracy are shared. “What we should have are two-way relations ... entirely free of threats using force or coercion,” he said.
In delivering this message, the prime minister apparently had in mind China’s attempt to change the status quo by force, given its ongoing reef reclamation project on the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Japan hopes to combine its aid program totaling more than ¥55 billion with a plan to train and nurture about 4,000 experts in disaster management and other fields to increase its involvement with Pacific island nations so they remain pro-Japanese, according to observers.
But China is also trying to counter Japan’s moves through various means. Beijing has urged Pacific island countries to join its “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” plan, which seeks to build a huge economic bloc in the region.
During summer last year, the Chinese Navy sent a hospital ship to Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. China provided free medical treatment and surgery in these nations for more than 20,000 local residents, who welcomed such Chinese aid.
China is also believed to have extended massive financial aid for harbor and other infrastructure construction projects in these countries.
In April, a Chinese government-affiliated bank announced a plan to extend a $195 million loan for a marine product processing facility project in Papua New Guinea. The Papua New Guinean government welcomed China’s lending plan, saying the completion of the project would create nearly 30,000 jobs.
China’s aid programs mostly come with strings attached. Many Chinese corporations are therefore expanding business operations in the South Pacific region.
According to an Australian think tank, China extended $1.06 billion in aid to the island nations from 2006 to 2013. The figure fell short of Australia’s overwhelming $6.8 billion in aid to these countries, though almost surpassing Japan’s $1.23 billion, the third largest following U.S. assistance.
Main points of PALM Declaration
■ Japan will extend more than ¥55 billion in aid over the next three years, combined with a project to implement human resource development and people-to-people exchanges of 4,000 people from Pacific island nations
■ PALM leaders reaffirmed that maritime order should be maintained in accordance with international law, while also confirming the importance of peacefully resolving international disputes without resorting to use of force
■ Leaders reaffirmed the need to enhance the credibility of the U.N. Security Council, including through an increase in the number of both permanent and nonpermanent seats
■ Leaders appreciated Japan’s post-World War II efforts to ensure peace and development in the international community
PALM summit stresses maintaining maritime order - The Japan News
The two-day summit meeting of leaders from Japan and the Pacific Islands region closed here on Saturday after adopting a declaration reiterating the importance of maintaining maritime order.
“Reiterating the importance of peace and security in the Pacific Ocean, the Leaders reaffirmed that maritime order should be maintained in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law,” the Leaders’ Declaration of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) said.
The reference to maritime order was apparently intended to serve as a restraining influence on China, according to observers.
The PALM leaders’ declaration, titled “Fukushima Iwaki Declaration,” also incorporated a Japanese pledge to extend ¥55 billion in aid over the next three years.
The PALM forum was attended by leaders from 17 nations, consisting of 14 Pacific island countries as well as Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirmed Japan’s intention to cooperate with other PALM nations in the defense of maritime security, emphasizing the importance of acting “based on the rule of law.”
The emphasis was also evident in the latest declaration, which reiterated the importance of “peacefully resolving international disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force.”
A similar declaration adopted in the 2012 PALM meeting included a sentence tantamount to urging China to exercise self-restraint — but without using the phrase “use of force.” In this respect, the latest declaration was more explicit in highlighting China’s forceful stance in achieving its maritime advances.
At the opening ceremony, Abe urged other PALM nations to establish “a society of Pacific citizens” in which the values of freedom and democracy are shared. “What we should have are two-way relations ... entirely free of threats using force or coercion,” he said.
In delivering this message, the prime minister apparently had in mind China’s attempt to change the status quo by force, given its ongoing reef reclamation project on the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Japan hopes to combine its aid program totaling more than ¥55 billion with a plan to train and nurture about 4,000 experts in disaster management and other fields to increase its involvement with Pacific island nations so they remain pro-Japanese, according to observers.
But China is also trying to counter Japan’s moves through various means. Beijing has urged Pacific island countries to join its “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” plan, which seeks to build a huge economic bloc in the region.
During summer last year, the Chinese Navy sent a hospital ship to Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. China provided free medical treatment and surgery in these nations for more than 20,000 local residents, who welcomed such Chinese aid.
China is also believed to have extended massive financial aid for harbor and other infrastructure construction projects in these countries.
In April, a Chinese government-affiliated bank announced a plan to extend a $195 million loan for a marine product processing facility project in Papua New Guinea. The Papua New Guinean government welcomed China’s lending plan, saying the completion of the project would create nearly 30,000 jobs.
China’s aid programs mostly come with strings attached. Many Chinese corporations are therefore expanding business operations in the South Pacific region.
According to an Australian think tank, China extended $1.06 billion in aid to the island nations from 2006 to 2013. The figure fell short of Australia’s overwhelming $6.8 billion in aid to these countries, though almost surpassing Japan’s $1.23 billion, the third largest following U.S. assistance.
Main points of PALM Declaration
■ Japan will extend more than ¥55 billion in aid over the next three years, combined with a project to implement human resource development and people-to-people exchanges of 4,000 people from Pacific island nations
■ PALM leaders reaffirmed that maritime order should be maintained in accordance with international law, while also confirming the importance of peacefully resolving international disputes without resorting to use of force
■ Leaders reaffirmed the need to enhance the credibility of the U.N. Security Council, including through an increase in the number of both permanent and nonpermanent seats
■ Leaders appreciated Japan’s post-World War II efforts to ensure peace and development in the international community
PALM summit stresses maintaining maritime order - The Japan News
