Japan, Vietnam foreign ministers vow to promote free, open Indo-Pacific

The idea of the communist government of Vietnam promoting a free and open anything is risible.

This again shows the double standards of Japan. Japanese tabloids will talk about people and countries being tainted in red or have communist blood in them, yet the jgov goes to bed with such communist countries.

This again shows the double standards of Japan. Japanese tabloids will talk about people and countries being tainted in red or have communist blood in them, yet the jgov goes to bed with such communist countries.

The US is selling Vietnam F-16s and P-3C Orion ASW aircraft along with some old Coast Guard cutters. Japan's cooperation with Vietnam is an order of magnitude less. Still, I don't like democracies cooperating with communist police states. I understand the reasons but it still chaps my backside.

This is partnership through necessity. It shows that nations as politically different as they are can still cooperate for the common good.

China wants to control and close down the Indo-Pacific as it own very extended front yard. Nations in the region oppose such attempts at "ownership" of international waters that are used by all maritime countries for trade and passage.

Just because they are different does not mean they cant work towards the same goals.

The US and Russia have many issues that divide them but still manage to work together on the ISS.

It may not seem like a natural partnership between Japan and Vietnam, but it is a necessary one for the conditions of the region undergoing constant disruptions from China.

Good news!

Desert TortoiseToday  07:39 am JST

The idea of the communist government of Vietnam promoting a free and open anything is risible.

Absolutely true. But we are no longer at odds with Vietnam and we both share a big and powerful mutual enemy. And the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

By 2030, Vietnam is going to be as threatening and powerful as China. The US will regret the decision if Vietnam weaponized its holdings in the SCS against the West.

This will end up exactly how China is today.

@Septim Dynasty

Um, no. Vietnam will become a powerful regional player in South Asia, but not to the scale of China.

And that is not taking into account a major problem both countries are facing: A declining AND ageing population.

The West has the luxury of the best and most skilled immigrants from around the world readily flying to their shores to contribute to their society.

At best a nation like China can only hope to rely on unskilled, temporary labourers and even that wont help them much becuase they will see a decline of 200 million people over the next 50 years.

And let us not forget that Vietnam and China are net emigrant nations.

By 2030, Vietnam is going to be as threatening and powerful as China. The US will regret the decision if Vietnam weaponized its holdings in the SCS against the West.

This will end up exactly how China is today.

Remember, Vietnam is an Asian country. USA will never allow that. But we've all seen USA fund countries and organizations which slowly but surely get too strong for USA's liking, and then the USA flips and changes sides.