Saturday 28th August, the ruling parties of Japan (Liberty Democratic Party, LDP) and Taiwan (Democratic Progressive Party, DPP) organized a virtual meeting on diplomatic and defense policy where a consensus on coast guard cooperation was concluded.
DPP Legislator Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) expressed that both sides are concerned about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the growing Chinese threat. The two sides mentioned that Chinese military aircraft and warships frequently intrude on both nations’ borders.
The two parties addressed how to improve deterrence and strengthen security related aspects, such as information exchanges and bilateral cooperation. They also looked at issues related to Washington’s commitment to Taiwan.
The LDP is aiming to strengthen Japan’s air defenses near the Sea of Japan and that it will raise its defense spending. The DPP meanwhile, proposed to increase Taiwan’s defenses in the nation’s northeast maritime border, Liberty Times reported.
Sato Masahisa’s (head of the LDP’s committee on Taiwan relations) tweet on 26th August said, Japan, U.S., and Taiwan coast guards will train together. DPP Legislator Tsai Shih-ying (蔡適應) said that this proposed trilateral cooperation was also expressed during Saturday’s dialogue, adding that the two agreed there is a need for coordinated maritime rescue and patrol exercises and related drills, in addition to joint humanitarian missions, per Liberty Times.
After the online meeting, Sato voiced he hoped Taiwan could join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as soon as possible. He also conveyed that he wishes to deepen bilateral cooperation in semiconductor production as well as digital and economic security.
