Bloc Support: Japan seeks ASEAN backing on China

Abe has visited all 10 countries in the group at least once since he came to power last year.

TOKYO: Japan pledged $20 billion in aid and loans to Southeast Asia, the latest step in its bid to woo global public opinion in its territorial dispute with China. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered the cash over the period of five years for members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at a celebratory summit to mark 40 years of ties with the bloc. The announcement crowns a year of courting by Abe, who has visited all 10 countries in the group at least once since he came to power last year, with the purpose of wresting back influence in the region from China. “Together with Asean, I want to build the future of Asia where laws, rather than power rule and people who work hard will be rewarded, which would lead to a prosperous society with mutual respect.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2013.

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