Japan, Vietnam to tighten maritime relations

Japan and Vietnam agreed Monday to promote maritime security cooperation between the two countries, apparently in response to increasingly assertive naval activities by China. Japan "has been concerned about (unilateral attempts) to change the status quo by force," Abe told San, according to one of the officials, apparently referring to China's naval activities that have led to its territorial rows with other Asian countries, including Japan and Vietnam, in the East and South China Sea, according to Japan's (Kyodo) News Aagency. The Vietnamese President agreed with Abe, saying that such disputes must be resolved in accordance with international law. On the economy, Abe said Japan will further cooperate with Vietnam in improving the business environment in the country and promote additional investment by Japanese firms. He also promised Japan's support in developing human resources in Vietnam. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Bali, Indonesia.