Less than a year after taking office last December, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has achieved his goal of visiting all 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, driven by rivalry with China in the region.
During his weekend visit to Cambodia and Laos, his final two destinations for the target, Abe clarified his country's aim of regaining ground lost to China in Southeast Asia in both economic and security terms.China traditionally has strong ties with Laos and has deepened its relations with Cambodia through economic assistance. For Cambodia, China is now a bigger aid donor than Japan.
Source: Jiji Press
Source: Jiji Press
