Australia enhances military ties with Japan

SYDNEY - Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Friday morning that Australia will take a neutral stance over China-Japan territorial disputes of Diaoyu Islands, while pledging to enhance military tie with Japan.

Carr said, "Australia government maintains a consistent stance that it does not take a position on the various territorial claims in north Asia. We encourage the parties to resolve disputes peacefully, consistent with international law."

He also said Australia is ready to welcome and cooperate with China over aid programs in Pacific area, while co-hosting a joint press conference with Defense Minister Stephen Smith as well as visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto, after the 4th Australia-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations.

China dispatched two surveillance ship fleets that arrived at waters around Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islets Friday morning and started patrol and law enforcement there, after protesting Japanese government's "purchase" of the Diaoyu Islands that has been part of China's territory for centuries.

Gemba said Japan has lodged protest to China for the unexpected entry, adding that "I had the high hopes the Japanese Coast Guard can fulfill their commitment on this front".

Frowned to Xinhua's question that if Japan is becoming increasingly aggressive in dealing with its World War II victims like China and South Korea over territorial disputes, Gemba failed to response directly, only saying "it is not the case," and repeating Japan's unilateral territorial claim.

Gemba also said although he had been scheduled to finish his Australia tour on Saturday, he had to leave Friday night for Japan in order to deal with the issue.

Morimoto said Japan Self-Defense Forces will continue to conduct information collection and warning surveillance activities upon Chinese vessels at Diaoyu Islands waters.

As to the meeting results, officials of both sides pledged that the Australia and Japan will strengthen bilateral defense cooperation as well as trilateral defense cooperation with the United States, enhance cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and boost consultation and information exchange.

The two sides also agreed to conduct regular air, land, and maritime exercises and engagement to boost interoperability and increase the skills and capabilities of both defense organizations.

In particular, they said the two sides will work to deepen Australia-Japan science and technology cooperation in the field of defense, noting Japan's 2011 Guidelines for Overseas Transfer of Defense Equipment. However, Smith said no specific issues have been discussed in this regard.