Abe strikes energy deal with Mongolia in a bid to curb China’s clout - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun: "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is stepping up diplomatic efforts to strengthen Japan's ties with a valued energy source and a strategic neighbor by visiting Mongolia, a move also intended to check the growing influence of China in the region.
Meeting with Mongolian leaders on March 30, Abe underscored the importance of bilateral relations, particularly from the standpoint of guaranteeing Japanese energy security.
“We want to bolster ties with Mongolia with the objective of creating a good makeup of various energy sources,” Abe told a joint news conference with Prime Minister Norov Altankhuyag in Ulan Bator later that day.
“Mongolia is an energy giant, and both countries can create a win-win relationship, with Japan’s technological prowess.”
Abe chose Mongolia over other potential nations to visit such as Malaysia and Micronesia, although diplomats were concerned that visiting a nation neighboring China would be too “provocative.”"
'via Blog this'
