Singapore ¨C Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi has conveyed Tokyo¡¯s concern to China about a number of regional security issues, including repeated Sino-Russian military flights near Japanese airspace and Beijing¡¯s activities in the East and South China seas.

Following his first in-person meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe ¡ª held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore ¡ª Kishi told reporters on Sunday that he voiced ¡°serious concerns¡± over the continuation of joint Sino-Russian military exercises around Japan, including the deployment of long-range strategic bombers, adding that Tokyo views these activities as ¡°a demonstration against Japan.¡±

According to Japan¡¯s Defense Ministry, Kishi also raised the issue of China¡¯s ongoing deployment of government vessels near the Senkaku Islands, calling on Beijing to exercise self-restraint and refrain from attempting to unilaterally change the status quo in the area by force. He also expressed concern about Chinese military activities in the East China Sea, including exercises near Japanese waters involving the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning.

Regarding China¡¯s activities in the South China Sea, Kishi said he urged the Chinese side to listen to the concerns of the international community, particularly regarding the militarization of the region, while emphasizing Japan¡¯s opposition to unilaterally changing the status quo or any action that would escalate tensions in the area.

On Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a breakaway province, Kishi reiterated Tokyo¡¯s position that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are of critical importance not only for Japan but also for the international community.

The defense ministers also spoke about the situation in Ukraine, with Kishi stating that Russia¡¯s unilateral attempt to change the status quo is a violation of both the U.N. Charter and international law that ¡°shakes the very foundation of the international order, not only in Europe but also in Asia.¡±

In this regard, Kishi called on China, which is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, to play a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community.

Given the number and complexity of the security issues in the region, Kishi highlighted the need for both sides to communicate further, with both countries agreeing to promote dialogue and exchanges between their respective defense authorities, according to the ministry.

Kishi¡¯s meeting with Wei in Singapore marked the first time a Japanese and a Chinese defense minister held an in-person meeting since 2019.