Cooperation critical to maintain international order of the seas

A meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations was held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Germany, releasing a “Declaration on Maritime Security” document separately from the main joint communique.

Although it avoided singling out China by name, the declaration explicitly stated concern over China’s unilateral activities to change the status quo, such as large-scale land reclamation in the East China Sea and South China Sea. The G-7’s strong opposition to the use of “intimidation, coercion or force” was also incorporated into the declaration.

China has had its ships intrude almost routinely into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. In disputed waters in the South China Sea, Beijing has been pushing ahead with landfill operations on reefs to construct installations. It is highly important that not only Japan and the US, but also European countries, share a sense of urgency regarding the current state of affairs in Asia.

Maritime security is a prerequisite for free economic activity. Development and exploitation of maritime rights and interests must be conducted cooperatively among the countries concerned, on the basis of internationally accepted rules.

The G-7 countries should join hands with Southeast Asian nations to push Beijing to employ restraint on its self-serving actions and comply with international law.

Opinion among the G-7 is split over whether to participate in the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, but they should keep in step in the field of security.

Regarding the Ukrainian situation, the G-7 foreign ministers’ joint communique criticised Russia anew for its annexation of Crimea, which is part of Ukraine. The communique also explicitly stated the stance of not lifting anti-Russia sanctions as long as Moscow fails to fully implement a truce agreed upon in February between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels.

The armed conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian militants has intensified again. There has been no progress on withdrawal of heavy artillery on either side.

To materialise a ceasefire, it is indispensable for Russia to exercise its influence over the pro-Moscow militants. The G-7, for its part, must address the matter strategically to get concessions from Russia, using dialogue while applying pressure on Moscow through sanctions.

It is also urgent to devise specific assistance measures to rebuild Ukraine’s economy.

Policies toward China and Russia will most likely be high on the agenda at the upcoming summit of G-7 leaders scheduled for June.

What should be done to ensure the regional stability of East Asia and Ukraine and not allow attempts to change the status quo by force? From the standpoint of placing a high value on the rule of law, the G-7 must hammer out a set of truly effective measures. Japan, which is scheduled to chair a G-7 summit meeting next year, should play its role actively.

The joint communique this time has strongly condemned the extremist militants of the Islamic State for perpetrating atrocities and human rights abuses, as well as their destruction of cultural heritage.

The challenge of containing international terrorism is not limited to the Middle East but shared by the entire international community. The G-7 countries must take the initiative on such tasks as strengthening regulations on the flow of funds into terrorist organisations and steps for stemming moves of terrorist fighters.