Japan, Vietnam affirm respect for sovereignty

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh agreed Sunday on the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states while warning against the use of weapons of mass destruction as the war in Ukraine continues.

With all our luxury travels and entourage and high level diplomacy, we have hammered out that countries have a right to self-determination and WMDs are bad.

Politicians far away from the field of battle get paid the big yen for pointing out the obvious.

Um, is anybody threatening either country's sovereignty? I mean, China's advances, especially in the South China Sea, surely are a threat to both countries' interests, but nobody is invading their actual territory with the aim of delegitimizing the state as such. The way Ukraine is being used as a talking point on China is getting surreal.

Good for them.

Japan and Vietnam - two freedom-loving nations doing good things in the region. It would be good if Japan donated more military aid to Vietnam to strengthen their defense against warlike China.

He said Russia possesses weapons others do not have and that his country will "use them if needed."

The little fellow threatening yet once again, this time with 'weapons others do not have", after earlier threatening the use of nukes was on the table. Some USAmericans and others want want the US/NATO/ Western powers weakened, but would they really prefer a world led by Putin's Russia and/or China.

Recall during the war in which the US invaded Vietnam that both the USSR and China supplied the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong with weapons to fight the US invaders, and now Putin's threatening any nation that might do what his KGB cohorts did.

Its Okay... we will send more immigrants, oops interns...LOL

China is the most hated country in Asia. Pretty sad that threy didn't stick to their "Peaceful Rise" and not turn every country short of North Korea against them.

China is the most hated country in Asia

Well said. And they are the world's most hated nation - along with their fellow terror state Russia.

Peaceful, freedom-loving nations are standing up to these twin evil states.

@PTownsend "Recall during the war in which the US invaded Vietnam that both the USSR and China supplied the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong with weapons to fight the US invaders"

Also remember that China invaded Vietnam after the US left.

Two countries devastated by the US, being pushed to being devastated by China for interests of USA.

Ohh beautiful and brave Vietnam who defeat and expel the invaders in 1973

Two countries devastated by the US, being pushed to being devastated by China for interests of USA.

Big truth !!..

China is the most hated country in Asia

Well said. And they are the world's most hated nation - along with their fellow terror state Russia.

Peaceful, freedom-loving nations are standing up to these twin evil states

Too much drama, you look so scared, buy a dog, LOL !!..

The outcome of Kishida's both visits to Indonesia and Vietnam must be disappointing for the government of Japan. I just wonder if the coming short visit to Thailand does result in anything more positive for Japan. I doubt it. Kishida and the Japanese govmt. in general were taught the message that ASEAN is not willing to blindly follow the US in an anti Russia and anti China propaganda war. Japan better be more restraint in following the master.

He could have these wasteful meetings over Zoom.

The next stop is Thailand where Kishida will find

the Thais have refused to condemn the Putin administration.

I’m looking forward to see how the media spins it though.

In the 21st century, I thought we would do a better job of respecting nations' soverigenty.

"There are many countries that have not taken the same steps as the Group of Seven nations in relations with Russia. It is important to gain their (countries other than the G-7) understanding and cooperation as much as possible, unless it is about seafood products, and then it is the rest of the world that must understand and cooperate with Japan's position on negotiating with Russia. We canNOT cancel our kani tours. Also, nations must do their best to take in as many refugee -- errr... evacuees as possible, like we have done, that they may stay safe for up to three months." Kishida said.

I added the part the reporters left out.

Gambare Nippon:

Japan and Vietnam - two freedom-loving nations doing good things in the region.

Bwa ha ha! More Vietnamese cheap labor for Japan? With or without verbal and physical abuse?

Rodney:

Two countries devastated by the US, being pushed to being devastated by China for interests of USA.

The definition of lemmings? Just like how Europe is going to starve themselves to death just to please America.

OssanAmerika:

China is the most hated country in Asia. Pretty sad that threy didn't stick to their "Peaceful Rise" and not turn every country short of North Korea against them.

According to you? Your country is the most hated by the majority of the world's population. The Global South is seeing that USA and its colonial partners haven't changed one single bit and is not taking anymore of their BS. Token wokeism doesn't hide the colonial mindset and racism. The Global South is not siding with the west when it comes to the war in Ukraine which started 8 years ago. There has been NOTHING peaceful about the former rise of your country and Europe - it was all built on the suffering of Asians and Africans and their treasures, by violence, torture, slavery and drug-peddling. This is going to the Asia's century (Japan can instead rely on a sinking USA - no skin off my back). Get used to it.

These are purely photo ops for all the countries. At the end of the day, they will not align with America's allies. That would be the kiss of death. And did the Vietnamese PM ask Kishida why the Hanoi Metro is up and running but the HCMC Metro has been delayed over and over again?

Sounds like the leaders have accomplished much.

Excerpt from an article by The Star:

The two leaders welcomed the outstanding progress in implementing outcomes of PM Chinh’s official visit to Japan last November, with the completion of an update document on the progress of cooperation in eight aspects, namely health care (including COVID-19 prevention and control), investment-trade, ODA-infrastructure, people-to-people exchange, environment-climate change, judicial affairs, defence-security, and culture-education.

According to the document, most agreements and projects reached during PM Chinh’s visit to Japan are making good progress, such as the observation satellite, the metro line No1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-Laos connectivity enhancement, the initiatives on digital transformation, technology renovation and supply chain promotion, support of Covid-19 prevention and control, defence-security, settlement of copyrights violation and resumption of commercial flights.

They agreed to promote collaboration in post-pandemic economic recovery, including in trade, investment, agriculture, energy and the environment.

The two countries will work to early reach and effectively implement a programme on new-generation ODA loans with flexible and preferential conditions along with streamlined procedures for strategic infrastructure building, transport infrastructure, digital transformation, response to climate change, health care.

They will speed up procedures so that Japan can declare opening up its market for Vietnam’s longan in September this year while continuing to facilitate the export to Japan of Vietnamese pomelo, avocado and rambutan.

The PMs also agreed to increase cooperation to help Vietnam participate deeper in regional and global supply chains, accelerate digital transformation and the building of digital government, digital economy and digital society, and realise its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/05/01/prime-ministers-of-vietnam-and-japan-agree-to-push-forward-extensive-strategic-partnership-between-two-countries

the clips of these two buffoons grinning wildly like life-long mates hugging each other and attempting a drunken elbow bump (apparently that clip was from last year?) in front of the camera crew was, in a strange sense, somewhat encouraging

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday affirmed respect for the sovereignty of states

Understanding Vietnam's foreign policy is important, especially when considering the unmistakable rise in global geopolitics.

An article this week in The Interpreter is useful.

Excerpt.

Vietnam’s pragmatic considerations are included in its “Four No’s”: no partaking in military alliances, no siding with one country to act against another, no foreign military bases in the Vietnamese territory or using Vietnam as leverage to counteract other countries, and no using force or threatening to use force in international relations.

+++

Vietnam’s proficiency in leveraging its strategic value plays a crucial role in cementing its status among the considerations of great powers. For middle and (especially) small states, allying with one great power against another is not a wise choice, and has the potential to bring no gains but plenty of losses to its national security. Vietnam’s ability to manoeuvre through the ongoing great power politics is being put to the test.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/vietnam-s-four-no-s-defence-policy-are-being-tested

Looks like a terrible handshake

Kyo wa heiwa dayo neToday  03:23 am JST

Looks like a terrible handshake

Deja vu.

'Ohhhh, I. Feel that something. I know you'll understand. Ohhhh, I. Feel that something. I wanna hold your haaaaaannnnndddddd.'

It was the invasion and conquer of Vietnam, Cambodia and laos by the Japanese imperial army that led to the USA oil embargo ,the bombing of pearl harbor and then finally the catastrophic atomic holocaust and defeat and surrender of Japan.

Vietnam isn't condemning Russian invasion of Ukraine and doesn't really like Japan.

However Vietnam doesn't like China interference of Vietnam offshore petroleum mining either.

Vietnam accepts Japan's whimpering with a crushing handshake.

It's not friendship.

Fighto

Perhaps you don't realize that Russia is also a county in Asia as well as part of Europe ?

And Perhaps you might realize how Japan is not well liked in Asia for obvious reasons.

The atrocities that Japan committed don't even compare to Chinese greed of economic dominance.

China isn't the most hated in Asia - the USA , Japan and the colonial alliance are !

Vietnam doesn't really like Japan. It's not friendship.

Umm, no.

Last November from the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnam regards Japan as a long-term, important and reliable strategic partner, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio during their talks in Tokyo on November 24. PM Chinh, who has been on an official visit to Japan, congratulated Kishida on his re-election as the PM of Japan, and thanked the latter for his special sentiments and significant contributions to the development of the relations between the two countries.

He conveyed the invitations of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders to the Emperor and Empress, PM Kishida and leaders of Japan to soon visit Vietnam.

+++

PM Chinh expressed his gratitude and high appreciation to the Japanese Government and people for their donation of 5.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in total as well as many medical equipment and supplies.

PM Kishida highlighted outstanding development steps of the bilateral ties over the past years, which, he said, are now at the best-ever stage in history.

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-considers-japan-a-longterm-important-and-reliable-strategic-partner/216070.vnp

China isn't the most hated in Asia - the USA , Japan and the colonial alliance are !

As an American I wholeheartedly agree. America post-Sept. 11 butchered innocent Iraqis and Afghanis as we did to the Vietnamese. For what? For whom and why? However, this alliance between Japan and Vietnam against China is orchestrated by the West and certain radical factions who currently control Western governments. WWIII seems to be in the air with all these alliances forming, especially with the decay of America into a cesspool of wokeness and disinformation to justify support of the Ukraine over Russia. The world is spiraling into hell, at least as I see it.

The little fellow threatening yet once again, this time with 'weapons others do not have", after earlier threatening the use of nukes was on the table. Some USAmericans and others want want the US/NATO/ Western powers weakened, but would they really prefer a world led by Putin's Russia and/or China.

Perhaps a world which isn't led by either "side" that believes it has the right to use force of various kinds (military, economic, cultural) is another option that would best serve humanity and the myriad life forms we share this beautiful planet with.

Tokyolivng,you will be saying this when little Kim beast mode Tokyo with Ballistic missile

Vladimir Putin warned of the possibility of "lightning-fast" retaliatory strikes if a third country intervenes in military operations in Ukraine and poses threats to Russia.

Speaking of 'intervening in military operations', during the admin of Biden's predecessor, Russia was reported to be paying money to those in Afghanistan to kill Americans, and the leader of the US at that time just shrugged it off.

Skeptical

Your not being Skeptical enough if you're not questioning the news.

Japan and Vietnam are definitely not on the same page.

Talk is cheap !

Otherwise Vietnam would be condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and involved in the ridiculous sanctions scandals.

Ronin:

It takes guts for an American to admit to what bad things USA has been up to, especially if that person says so in public. Similar in the UK where you can't say anything to question the mainstream media's narrative.

And don't forget, Vietnam, at the end of the day, is still a communist country.

I am very glad to see that Japan still has the good sense to reach out to their communist neighbors, even if the US would most likely not approve. It shows they are willing to make some diplomatic overtures of their own still.

Worth noting that the JCP is way bigger than people think too, it is one of the biggest communist parties in a non-communist country. Would be fantastic to see them actually gain power and work more closely with Vietnam and China as those countries improve their reations.

@Fighto!

Good for them.

Color me surprised, I will be perfectly honest Fighto!, I never expected you to be supportive of a communist country. Guess I was wrong, good on you. Credit where it is due.

All who have diplomatic relations with Vietnam will likely admit that the country is not shy about sharing it's foreign policy views with others.

Always aware of their interests, especially in economics, they can be ambiguous on the international stage when it suits them, and explicit enough when it suits them otherwise. Vietnam makes it's interests known largely in private, however, instead of inside international news headlines.

At least within the past ten years or so, a country who has earned Vietnam's displeasure will likely knows about it without mistake.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday affirmed respect for the sovereignty of states ...as the war in Ukraine continues.

Japanese and Vietnamese leaders have no other problems?

Or Japan today has only one theme to discuss?