島サミット 米と連携し中国進出に対処を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 28, 2012)
Strengthen intl ties in Pacific to deal with China's assertiveness
島サミット　米と連携し中国進出に対処を（5月27日付・読売社説）

Japan's efforts to support development of the island countries that dot the Pacific will surely enhance the stability of the region.
　太平洋上に散在する島(とう)嶼(しょ)国の発展を支えることが地域の安定につながろう。

Bearing the rapidly growing assertiveness of China in mind, it is indispensable for Japan to beef up cooperation with the United States in tackling this task.
存在感を高める中国を念頭に、米国との連携強化も欠かせない。

The Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, with leaders of 12 island countries, including Palau, and one territory attending, wrapped up after finishing its two-day program on Friday and Saturday.
　パラオなど１３の島嶼国・地域の首脳らが参加し、沖縄県名護市で開かれた太平洋・島サミットは、全日程を終えて閉幕した。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who chaired the meeting, said at a news conference after the close of the summit, "Both Japan and Pacific island countries are vulnerable to natural disasters, and we would like to share lessons of Japan's natural disasters [with them]." Noda stressed the importance of a joint declaration adopted in the latest PALM that puts top priority on antidisaster measures.
　議長を務めた野田首相は記者会見で、「日本も島嶼国も自然災害に脆弱(ぜいじゃく)だ。日本の経験を共有したい」として、今回採択された首脳宣言で防災対策を柱に据えたことの意義を強調した。

In the declaration, Japan promises to support improvement of an "early warning system for disasters" to help Pacific island countries prepare for earthquakes, tsunami and other natural calamities. Japan has also pledged to launch a "natural disaster risk insurance" program on a pilot basis to help Pacific island countries cover damage from natural disasters in cooperation with the World Bank.
　日本は宣言の中で、島嶼国に対し、津波や地震の発生に備えるための「災害早期警報システム」の整備を支援するほか、世界銀行との協力で「自然災害リスク保険」を創設することを約束した。

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A precious diplomatic asset

Noda said at the news conference: "Japan's fiscal conditions are tight, as we need to reconstruct areas devastated by the [March 11] disaster. Even so, we should not be inward-looking but seek to be a country that will continue to contribute to peace and prosperity in the world." The prime minister expressed Japan's intention to offer up to 500 million dollars (about 40 billion yen) in official development assistance over the next three years for such endeavors. The figure is equivalent to the sum the country gave out in the previous three years combined.
　首相は「財政は厳しいが、内向きにならず、世界の繁栄、安定に貢献していく」と、今後３年間に最大５億ドル（約４００億円）の支援を行う方針を表明した。前回と同等の規模の額である。

PALM has been held every three years under Japan's sponsorship since 1997. The latest summit is the sixth.
　島サミットは日本の主導で１９９７年以来３年ごとに開かれ、６回目だ。

The Japanese government's continued support for the island countries, successfully nurturing their confidence in this country, is a precious diplomatic asset.
政府が島嶼国への支援を続け、信頼を醸成してきたことは貴重な外交資産だ。

Notably during the latest summit, a meeting was held between leaders of the island countries and Japan's business leaders, including executives of Japanese companies, to expedite private investment. The government, together with the private sector, should proceed with carefully considered diplomacy to assist Pacific island countries.
　今回、島嶼国首脳と日本の企業経営者ら経済界との会合が実現した。民間投資の促進が狙いだ。政府は民間と協調し、きめ細かな援助外交を進めるべきである。

Also taken up in the latest PALM were issues involving the marine environment and marine resources development.
　島サミットでは、海洋を巡る環境保護や資源開発などの問題も議題に取り上げられた。

China, too, has been proactively practicing assistance diplomacy toward Pacific island countries. Beijing has surpassed Japan in terms of the amount of assistance cash, and is believed to place third on the list of donor countries after Australia and the United States.
　島嶼国に対しては、中国が積極的な援助外交を繰り広げている。支援総額では日本を追い抜き、豪州や米国に続く第３位になったと見られる。

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China's strategic thinking

In particular, China's assistance to such countries as Papua New Guinea and Fiji, which have abundant mineral and other natural resources, has been sharply increasing.
　特に、鉱物資源などが豊富なパプアニューギニアやフィジーへの援助の急増ぶりが目立つ。

Fiji, which skipped the island countries summit this time, has seen its relations with the United States and Europe deteriorating recently. It may be inclined to deepen its ties with China.
　今回の島サミットに欠席したフィジーの場合、欧米との関係が悪化していることからも、対中傾斜をさらに深める可能性がある。

Chinese leaders such as Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping have been making visits to these countries almost every year.
　こうした国々には、中国から温家宝首相や習近平国家副主席ら要人が毎年のように足を運んでいる。

In addition to port calls to these countries by Chinese Navy warships and military assistance to them, the number of Chinese immigrants to Pacific island countries has reportedly been rising steadily. This may be part of China's strategic thinking.
海軍艦船の寄港や軍事的支援だけでなく、移民も増えているという。戦略性がうかがえる。

This year, delegates from the United States took part in the triennial PALM event for the first time. The administration of President Barack Obama, with growing wariness toward Beijing, has shifted its diplomatic focus to the Asia-Pacific region and is building close relations with Pacific island countries.
　今回、初めて米国が島サミットに参加した。アジア太平洋重視を打ち出したオバマ政権は中国への警戒感を強め、島嶼国との関係構築に乗り出している。

The government should continue making efforts for stable development of the Pacific region by joining hands with the United States as well as Australia and New Zealand, which are PALM members.
　政府は米国のほか、島サミットに参加している豪州やニュージーランドと共に、太平洋地域の安定的発展に努めてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 27, 2012)
（2012年5月27日01時42分 読売新聞）