The Democratic Progressive Party and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan held a "Diplomacy.Defense 2+2" meeting on the 21st. This is the first physical meeting; the Liberal Democratic Party's Foreign Affairs Chairman Horii Iwa (second from the right), Senator, and National Defense Chairman Konosuke Kuniba Members (first from right) talking with DPP legislators Luo Zhizheng (second from left) and Guo Guowen (first from left).

(Photo by reporter Liao Zhenhui)

[Reporter Chen Yun/Taipei Report] The "Taiwan-Japan Diplomacy and Defense Policy" opinion exchange meeting took place in the morning. Senator Horii Iwa, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Foreign Affairs, and Representative Konosuke Kuniba, Chairman of the National Defense Party, and DPP legislators Luo Zhizheng, The Guo Guowen Dialogue launched the first entity 2+2 Taiwan-Japan political party dialogue.

Horii Iwa said that Taiwan is a very important friend of Japan, and he expects this dialogue to contribute to regional peace and development.

Iwa Horii said that Taiwan is a very important friend of Japan. In December last year, Hagiuda Koichi, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s political survey, visited Taiwan. Later, Seko Hiroshige, the secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Senate, visited Taiwan. He also accompanied him. At that time, President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Qingde suggested that When the epidemic is slowing down, it is hoped that a real 2+2 dialogue between the ruling parties will be launched. Therefore, Hagiuda and Seko also asked the two committee members to express their gratitude to the two committee members for leading this meeting.

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Iwa Horii pointed out that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is visiting India, announced yesterday the basic policy of Japan's foreign policy "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy". This new concept has four key points. First, the rule of law in the region is very important, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine Such a one-sided change of the status quo must be opposed; secondly, regional cooperation is divided into three areas, including how countries respond to climate change, the new crown epidemic and other international health issues, and the recent common fake news, countries are also more or less affected, follow-up how to cooperate.

The third is the so-called connectivity. All countries and regions must be connected. If only bilateral connections cannot survive, all countries and regions must be connected at multiple levels to achieve prosperity. Fourth, in terms of security, In the past, Japan paid more attention to maritime security, and in the future, it will also pay attention to airspace. On this issue, we must strengthen international cooperation in regional security.

Horii Iwa said that the "free and open Indo-Pacific strategy" advocated by Japan has been endorsed by many countries including Taiwan, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the ASEAN Association of India. The international community must cooperate to safeguard the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea, and East Asia. , Indo-Pacific peace and stability to cooperate, and strongly look forward to today's 2+2 dialogue can contribute to regional peace and development.

Fortunately, this is the first physical 2+2 meeting, which is of epoch-making significance. Japan and Taiwan share universal values. Our friendship and affection are also very deep. It is a very wonderful bilateral relationship, and it also shows the contribution to regional peace and stability. The determination to contribute, as the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s National Defense, I hope to communicate with the two Taiwan legislators on the three national defense documents revised by Japan last year. This is the most important document for Japan’s security and diplomacy, especially after nine years. The first revision of the national security strategy, which substantially increased the content of Taiwan.

Luo Zhizheng said that the 2+2 talks were originally a dialogue mechanism initiated by his best friend and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. The 2+2 dialogue at the physical meeting was held in Taipei for the first time, and it was also the first dialogue between Taiwan and Japan of the DPP after Lai Qingde took office as chairman. This is an institutional dialogue. I believe it will be more helpful to understand and understand the two parties and the issues that the two governments care about.

Guo Guowen said that it is a great honor to have a dialogue with two heavyweight members of the Japanese Diet, which is of special significance to Chairman Lai after he took office. Japan exchanges, looking forward to further substantive progress in Taiwan-Japan relations, and looking forward to holding 2+2 talks between the two parties in Japan in the future.

He mentioned that although Taiwan did not make it to the WBC finals, Japan did, and Taiwan is the supporting team. He hoped that after the talks, Japan would be able to reverse the victory in the ongoing match.