Japan PM: China Greatest Global Strategic Challenge

Fumio Kishida, Japan’s Prime Minister,  urged members of the U.S. Congress to maintain their support of Ukraine on Thursday. During his address inside the House chamber, he told lawmakers to overcome “self-doubt” about America’s role on the world stage. “The leadership of the United States is indispensable. Without U.S. support, how long before the hopes of Ukraine would collapse under the onslaught from Moscow?”

U.S. President Joe Biden’s request for $60 billion in aid for Ukraine passed the Democratic-led Senate with 70% support in February. It has been stalled in the Republican-controlled House as Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to allow a vote.

Kishida said the fall of Ukraine could embolden China and spark a new crisis in East Asia. “China’s current external stance and military actions present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the peace and security of Japan but to the peace and stability of the international community at large.”

While such a challenge from China continues, our commitment to upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law, as well as peace, will continue to be the defining agenda going forward, he added.

On the spaceship called ‘Freedom and Democracy’, Japan is proud to be your shipmate, Kishida told the US Congress. “We are on deck, we are on task. And we are ready to do what is necessary.”

Kishida and Biden held talks at the White House Wednesday where they discussed among other things joint defence cooperation including a new missile defence system.

On Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior joined them.

The meeting comes as China steps up pressure on the Philippines in the South China Sea over an area Beijing claims but international law says belongs to the Philippines.

The US, Japan, The Philippines and Australia held joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea Sunday ahead of this summit.

With inputs from Reuters