Asian nations must ensure that territorial disputes do not erupt into conflict, leaders said on Friday, with Japan and the Philippines reaffirming their commitment to freedom of flight as concerns grow over China's new air defence zone.
Beijing's growing military strength has sparked concern in Asia, and tension has spiked in the last month after China announced the air defence zone including islands in the East China Sea also claimed by Japan.
The air defence identification zone has triggered protests from the United States and its close allies, Japan and South Korea
China is also locked in territorial rows with other Asian nations, including the Philippines, over wide swathes of the South China Sea and has said it might set up a similar zone there.
"We reiterated our commitment to uphold the rule of law, promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, and to assure freedom of flight in international air space," Philippine President Benigno Aquino told reporters in Tokyo after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Aquino stopped short of mentioning China in the media appearance with Abe, who has made stronger ties with the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) a priority, visiting all of them during his first year in office.
South China Morning Post
