Hiroshima [Japan], May 21: The leaders reached the above consensus during the Quad summit meeting in Hiroshima (Japan) on May 20, on the sidelines of the expanded G7 Summit, taking place from May 19 to May 21.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, US President Joe Biden , Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met at a hotel in the city of Hiroshima, which is also the main venue of the expanded G7 Summit.
Speaking at the opening of the Quartet meeting, Prime Minister Kishida stated that the global security situation has become increasingly tense. He stressed that in such difficult circumstances, it is important for the leaders of the four countries to meet and show the rest of the international community that they are committed to the common goal of creating a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Noting the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea , the leaders agreed to strongly oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region by force or coercion, according to NHK.
In addition, in view of China's increasing use of economic means to advance its strategic interests, the statement from the Quartet emphasized: "We seek a region in which all countries Countries and citizens can freely choose how they cooperate and trade based on partnership, equality and mutual respect." The statement did not name China, according to Kyodo News.
The leaders also affirmed that the Quartet will cooperate and listen to the opinions of ASEAN member countries, South Asian countries, Pacific island nations and developing countries.
Initially, the Quad Summit was scheduled to take place in Sydney (Australia) on May 24 after President Biden had planned to visit the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. However, that plan was canceled just a day before President Biden began his trip to Hiroshima because he decided to focus on the tense debt ceiling negotiations in Washington DC, according to Kyodo News.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
