SYDNEY — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Australia on Saturday for talks with the nation’s leader on trade and regional security issues amid China’s growing military might in Asia. Australia is Abe’s second stop in a four-nation swing intended to boost Japan’s trade and security engagements amid concern over China’s emergence as a military power in the Pacific. “We are committed to advancing our economic, investment and trade relationship, our defense and security cooperation, and our common commitment to a secure and prosperous region,” Turnbull said in a statement. While in Sydney, Abe will also meet with business and tourism leaders, tour a Japanese international school and visit the Royal Botanic Garden. In the Philippines, Abe welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to boost ties with Beijing following the Philippines’ victory in an arbitration ruling declaring China’s claims to the South China Sea invalid.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 14, 2017 03:46 UTC