狸の親子さんの おぼえた日記 - 2021年5月20日(木)

Suga pledges financial support to Philippines -NHK WORLD- JAPAN 6 hours ago

Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has pledged to provide yen loans and financial aid to the Philippines to help the country tackle the new coronavirus outbreak.

Suga made the announcement during his phone talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday.

Suga said he would "spare no effort for the Philippine government's response to COVID-19" and offered 20 billion yen, or over 180 million dollars, in financial support through yen loans.

He also announced assistance worth one billion yen, or over 9 million dollars, for cold-chain development, to allow coronavirus vaccines to be transported and stored at low temperatures.

Against the backdrop of the 65th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties, the two leaders agreed on close coordination for the promotion of a " Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

They also agreed to work to realize the "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," a concept on the bloc's role in the region.

Suga also expressed his opposition to what he called continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas.

He also expressed grave concerns about recent developments in China, including its coast guard law.

The two leaders agreed to work together closely toward　the maintenance of peace and stability in the region under the rule of law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.