TOKYO, January 31. /TASS/. Japan and NATO are concerned over the growing military cooperation between Russia and China, says the joint statement, adopted after the meeting of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Tuesday.
"We highlight with concern Russia's growing military cooperation with China, including through joint operations and drills in the vicinity of Japan," the statement reads.
The joint statement also reiterates criticism against Russia over the situation in Ukraine, as well as against China for its military activity in Asia, and opposed a "unilateral change of the status quo by force or coercion."
The concern about Russia and China becoming closer is contained in the updated versions of NATO and Japan’s basic documents - the NATO Strategic Concept, adopted in June last year, and the National Security Strategy of Japan, passed on December last year.
In their joint statement, Kishida and Stoltenberg mutually welcomed the adoption of these documents, while the alliance expressed its support to the "fundamental reinforcement of [Japan’s] defense capabilities."