Japan plans to prepare for Putin’s visit ‘in close contact’ with Obama

China has overlapping claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam in the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.

“China firmly safeguards navigation freedom of various countries in the South China Sea in accordance with worldwide laws”, Hong said, adding there are no problems with navigation freedom in this region.

At the beginning of the meeting in Manila, Obama congratulated Abe for the passage of the legislation, saying the U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of security for the two countries.

While Mr Abe has held two summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the past year, the two leaders have not held any formal bilateral meetings during a series of worldwide gatherings this month and China has shown irritation over Mr Abe’s criticism of its actions in the South China Sea in recent weeks. Referring to the relocation of the U.S. Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, Abe said his administration would resolutely proceed with the relocation plan and that relocation to the Henoko district within the prefecture is “the only option for solving” the issue.

Abe, for his part, said Japan is ready to work with the Philippines to realize the agreement.

Abe said there was a request from Aquino for the provision of large patrol vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard and Japan would consider the request.

He also said that the Abe would be closely watching the developments of the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China over the South China Sea.

“First, states shall make and clarify their claims based on global law”.

Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter boarded a USA aircraft carrier plodding through the South China Sea, a week after a U.S. Navy destroyer patrolled within seven miles of a reef where China is building an artificial island and has asserted a 12-mile territorial boundary.

“For this reason, I hope this meeting will open a new chapter for Japan-U.S. security cooperation”, the prime minister said.

Obama is making his second visit to Malaysia in two years.

According to a press release, this would coordinate pension programs for people who lived or worked in the Philippines and Japan, wherein those covered by their respective social security systems would continue to receive benefits whether residing in the Philippines, Japan, or even another country. The sweeping free trade agreement is at the heart of Obama’s Asia policy, but its prospects for ratification by US lawmakers remain uncertain.

“We are going to be very candid about areas where we have disagreements and differences and frankly objections if we see that the type of universal values that we support are not being respected”, Rhodes told reporters on Thursday at the Apec summit in Manila.