PH-Japan RAA signing none of China’s business — Teodoro

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said China has no business in the bilateral agreement between the Philippines and Japan since it is an internal affair between the two countries.

“The RAA (Reciprocal Access Agreement) is a bilateral agreement between Japan and the Philippines so it is a matter internal to Japan and the Philippines. So, it is actually none of China's business because China would then be interfering in the internal affairs of both Japan and the Philippines,” Teodoro said.

“If I state a comment regarding something that, for example, their economic, coercive diplomacy or whatnot, they will say that I’m interfering in their internal affairs, same thing here,” he added.

Teodoro issued the statement after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said “the exchange and cooperation between countries should not undermine the mutual understanding and trust between other countries in the region.”

“It should not threaten regional peace and stability, target any third party, or harm the interests of any third party. The Asia-Pacific region does not need any military bloc, still less groupings that incite bloc confrontation or a new Cold War,” Lin said in a press conference on Monday.

“Any move that undermines regional peace and stability, and harms regional solidarity and cooperation will be met with vigilance and opposition from people in regional countries,” he added.

On the same day, the Philippines and Japan inked the landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement, which aims to heighten defense cooperation between the two countries amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

In a statement, Teodoro and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, also stressed "the need for the international community to speak out on the importance of maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law."

“Japan bears serious historical responsibilities for its aggression and colonial rule over the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries during World War II,” Lin said.

“Japan needs to reflect on that part of history and act prudently in fields related to military and security,” the Chinese official added.

Meanwhile, the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan is not aimed at any country following China’s reaction to the landmark deal, a Japanese official said.

“RAA is not targeting any country, it’s an agreement between Japan and the Philippines to enhance our defense cooperation and also aimed at sustaining peace and stability in this region and that is also on the benefit of the countries of this region,” said Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko in a report by JP Soriano in 24 Oras on Wednesday.

The RAA was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. last July 8. 

The deal would allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to train in each other's territory. 

Earlier reports also said the agreement would allow more Japanese forces to join annual military exercises involving the Philippines and the US, including the annual "Balikatan" exercises.

However, the agreement still needs to be ratified by the Philippine Senate and the National Legislature of Japan before it takes effect.

Following the deal signing, China said that any cooperation between countries should not be a threat to the peace and stability in the Asia region. 

Beijing added that Japan should be held responsible for its aggressions and colonial rule over the Philippines during World War II.

But the Japanese official said that her country has assured after the war to cooperate with countries in maintaining international orders based on the rule of law. 

“Since the end of the war, the past war, Japan has been devoted to maintaining and contributing to the peace and stability of this region and as well as the stability and peace of the world,” said Kaneko.

“And for this reason Japan is cooperating with the Philippines and also to like-minded countries and our allies, together to maintain the international order based on rule of law and because we believe that this international order based on rule of law, the upholding [of]  this is very important in maintaining peace and stability,” she added.—with reports from Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News