(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA))
TOKYO, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and visiting U.S. Speaker of House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi confirmed, on Friday, their countries' close cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, according to the Cabinet Office. During their meeting in Tokyo, Kishida strongly condemned China for the large-scale military exercises, in response to Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this week.
Kishida informed Pelosi about the Chinese ballistic missiles that fell within Japan's exclusive economic Zone on Thursday, and condemned the action by saying, 'The missiles represented a threat to Japan's national security and the safety of its people.
' We confirmed that Japan and the US will continue to jointly work to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,' Kishida told reporters after the meeting. ' I told her that recent China's actions will have serious impact on the peace and stability of the region and the international community, and I explained that we asked China to immediately stop its military exercises,' he said. The two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, such as China, North Korea, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kishida expressed hope for Pelosi's leadership and the support of the US Congress in strengthening the Japan-US alliance and realizing a 'free and open' Indo-Pacific.
Pelosi arrived in Tokyo on Thursday night on the final stop of an Asian tour that has taken her to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea. She became the first US House speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years. Her trip angered China, which sees the island as its territory.
After their talks, Pelosi said in a press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo, ' Our representation here is about the Taiwan relations act, the US-China policy, and the legislation and agreements that have established our relationship'.
'Our friendship with Taiwan is a strong one, it is bipartisan in the House and the Senate, overwhelming support for peace and the current status in Taiwan,' she added. (end) mk.nhq
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