China dismisses US-Japan 'arrangement' to contain it

China on Tuesday denounced as "gas and speculation" the reports about the US and Japan teaming up to ensure "free and open" Indo-Pacific region.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said media reports, especially "Japanese, about such partnership between Japan and the US to contain China are gas and speculation".

US President Donald Trump, who is visiting Asia, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed Indo-Pacific region as Washington wants Tokyo, New Delhi, and Canberra to join a dialogue in the region.

Last Sunday, a US official said that instead of the term Asia-Pacific, Washington would like to use the phrase Indo-Pacific because it "captures the importance of India's rise".

"We have indeed noted that recently this concept has been mentioned many times," Hua said when asked about such arrangements was to counter China in Indo-Pacific region and its Belt and Road Initiative.

Describing the Indo-Pacific as the dynamic region which has the biggest potential in the world, she said stability and peace is of great significance to bring prosperity in the region.

Indo-Pacific region includes the Indian Ocean and some part of the South China Sea.

--IANS

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