Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin participate in a 2+2 meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, in Tokyo, Japan on March 16, 2021. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha/]

By  Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The United States and Japan are putting China on warning that its aggressive, destabilizing actions in the Indo-Pacific region will be firmly dealt with.  U.S. and Japanese defense and foreign affairs leaders met Tuesday in Tokyo and agreed  China’s behavior has become more menacing,  and the Washington  and Tokyo  pledged to work together to counter Beijing’s destabilizing efforts.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III traveled to Tokyo as the first trip outside the United States by Biden administration officials.  Blinken and Austin met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in the so-called “two-plus-two” meetings hosted by Motegi. They later met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

“We agreed on the recognition that China’s behavior, where inconsistent with the existing international order, presents various challenges to the alliance and the international community.  We remain opposed to any unilateral action that seeks to change the status quo, including in the East and South China Seas.  We share serious concerns over the China coast guard law.”

-Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi via interpreter at press conference

The Chinese government raised its military budget by 6.8% this year to 1.35 trillion yuan ($207.5 billion).  Secretary Austin emphasized the teamwork inherent in the alliance, and said the alliance system is the best way to confront China’s “coarsening” behavior.  Austin said Japan shares the U.S. concerns about China’s destabilizing actions.

“China is the pacing challenge for the Department of Defense,” he said. “And we know that competing in today’s shifting global dynamics can only be done through the spirit of teamwork and cooperation, which are the hallmarks of our alliance with Japan.”

-U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd  Austin

Allies Will Push  Back Against China Aggression:   U.S. Secretary of State Blinken

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin participate in joint press availability with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, in Tokyo, Japan on March 16, 2021. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha

“We’re united in the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, where countries follow the rules, cooperate whenever they can, and resolve their differences peacefully.  And in particular, we will push back if necessary when China uses coercion or aggression to get its way.  As we’ve discussed today, the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly the center of global geopolitics.  It’s where so much of the history of the 21st century is going to be written.  There are competing visions for how that story should go.  Japan and the United States, together with our allies and partners, will be strong advocates for our shared approach, grounded in our values and our joint commitment to the security and well-being of all our people.”

-U.S Secretary of  Defense  Antony  J. Blinken