Hong Kong: Scott Morrison and Shinzo Abe air shared concerns

Scott Morrison and Japan Prime PM Shinzo Abe have registered their ‘grave concern’ at Beijing’s decision to impose tough new security laws on Hong Kong.

Scott Morrison meets virtually with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe on Thursday night.

Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have registered their “grave concern” at Beijing’s decision to impose tough new security laws on Hong Kong, warning the crackdown had eroded the territory’s autonomy under “one country, two systems”.

In a virtual meeting on Thursday, the two leaders pledged to strengthen bilateral co-operation on cyber security and critical technologies while flagging a deepening of defence and security ties, including with the US.

Australia and Japan expressed strong opposition to “any coercive or unilateral actions that could alter the status quo or increase tensions in the East and South China Seas”, amid ongoing concern at Beijing’s activities in the area.

The alarm was sounded on “recent negative developments in the South China Sea, including the continuing militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous and coercive use of coast guard vessels and ‘maritime militia’, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ resource exploitation activities”. A joint statement reaffirmed the commitment of both Australia and Japan to maintaining a “free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific”, including the promotion of a region that advanced the “rule of law, respect for sovereignty, inclusiveness and openness”.

Acute challenges included “coercive and unilateral actions and disinformation, and the need to ensure the resilience of critical supply chains while maintaining open and rules-based markets”.

Both leaders noted the importance of ongoing dialogue with the US and India, including “ongoing quadrilateral consultations”.

It was noted that engagement between the US, Japan, India and Australia had deepened at the “leaders’ level” and that a further “broadening and deepening of the defence and security relationship” was welcomed. This included ongoing discussion on “areas of practical and effective defence co-operation”.

Earlier in the week, the Australian Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signed a new agreement to “further promote space co-operation”. The joint statement said support for multilateral bodies including the G20, East Asia Summit, APEC, the UN and the World Health Organisation was needed “more than ever” to help defeat coronavirus and support economic recovery.

A commitment was given to providing leadership in combating COVID-19 and “building a prosperous, open and stable post-COVID-19 world”.

Australia and Japan agreed to help strengthen the internal response to the pandemic, including through the WHO, and through efforts to provide medical supplies and the equitable delivery of new vaccines and treatments. Support was given for swift implementation of the resolution of the 73rd World Health Assembly requesting the WHO director-general to initiate a “stepwise process of impartial, independent … evaluation of the response to COVID-19”.

North Korea was also urged to commit to dialogue towards complete denuclearisation.