Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will express their resolve next month in Tokyo to bolster security ties for regional peace, with China's growing maritime assertiveness in mind, a draft of their statement said Monday.
At a joint summit, Japan and 10-member ASEAN will vow to "further cooperate for the global interest to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world," according to the draft, a copy of which was obtained by Kyodo News.
The document, tentatively titled "Medium to Long-Term Vision on Japan-ASEAN Friendship," was drafted by Japan and proposed to ASEAN, a diplomatic source said.