Gao Shi's Visit to Vietnam and Australia Amid Alleged "Economic Coercion by China"
April 23, Kyodo News: Sanae Gao will visit Vietnam and Australia during the May Day long holiday.
She will deliver a speech in Vietnam, announcing a new vision for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), stating it as a cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy.
Meanwhile, citing "China’s economic coercion" and the situation in the Middle East, Gao is coordinating efforts to strengthen cooperation with other countries in the field of economic security, and has declared that the region will become "strong and prosperous." Several Japanese government officials announced these plans on the 23rd.
FOIP is a concept proposed by Shinzo Abe aimed at building an international order based on rules, first introduced in 2016.
In a policy speech in February this year, Gao stated that she would "strategically adjust and advance FOIP" to respond to changing international circumstances, such as intensified geopolitical competition and the struggle for dominance in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Japanese officials, the speech is scheduled for May 2nd. It is expected to emphasize strengthening critical mineral supply chains, particularly in response to China’s restrictions on rare earth exports.
This month, Gao held an online meeting supporting Asian nations in securing oil access should the Strait of Hormuz be blocked. She aims to deepen cooperation with other countries through such initiatives.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863271541358603/
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