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June 11, 1969

Reference: The Joint Communique is also published in VIII DFA TS No. 2, p. 222.

1. At the invitation of the Government of Japan, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Asian and Pacific Council, comprising Australia, the Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand and the Republic of Viet Nam met in Kawana, Japan, from June 9 to 11, 1969. An observer from the Kingdom of Laos attended all sessions of the meeting. The presence of the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan at the opening and closing session as an official guest of the host Government was warmly welcomed by all the Ministers.

2. In his opening address, His Excellency Mr. Eisaku Sato, Prime Minister of Japan, extended a warm welcome to the attending delegates. Emphasizing the growing need for the countries of East Asia, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific to live in harmony and in close co-operation, the Prime Minister called for a clearer awareness of the region as a single entity and suggested that it should be described as "Pacific Asia." He stressed that the essential common factor uniting the ASPAC countries was the ardent desire to pursue their social and economic development, without disturbing others and without being disturbed by external pressure and interference.

3. Over a period of three days, the Ministers discussed a wide range of world and regional problems. In their frank and cordial exchange of views, the Ministers considered such subjects as recent developments within the region, the policies of the major powers in relation to the region and developments in neighboring areas as they affected the region.

4. The Ministers reviewed recent developments on the Chinese main­ land where the situation has remained uncertain as before. They agreed that in view of their impact upon other Asian and Pacific countries it was necessary to follow closely future developments.

5. Reviewing the major developments within and outside the region during the past decade and looking ahead to the future, the Ministers agreed that it was to the advantage of ASPAC countries that efforts should be continued to strengthen their political, economic and social structures, while making all possible efforts to reduce international tension in and around the region. Thus, the Ministers affirmed that their countries should make an all-out effort to promote construction and development. They noted the need for continued assistance by major countries outside the Asian and Pacific region until such time as the countries within which it can by their own efforts ensure the progress and stability of the region.

6. The Ministers welcomed the continuing progress in economic development and improvement of living standards witnessed in ASPAC countries. They expressed their firm confidence that these achievements more than anything else testified to the soundness of the basic policies pursued by ASPAC countries and agreed to continue with fresh determination their efforts along these lines.

7. The Ministers expressed their deep satisfaction at the continuous development achieved by the member countries in agriculture and industry and in trade expansion in spite of the persistence of certain adverse factors which hamper the economic development of ASPAC countries. They particularly noted the desirability of the promotion of trade in the region as a means of accelerating further growth.

8. The Ministers welcomed the important developments which had taken place during the past year opening up brighter prospects for a peaceful solution of the Viet Nam problem, and noted with satisfaction the con­ tinuing progress achieved by the Republic of Viet-Nam in the economic, rural development, political and other fields. The Ministers reaffirmed their deep sympathy for the Government and people of the Republic of Viet Nam in their firm stand to preserve their independence and freedom. They also paid tribute to the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Viet Nam to restore peace and stability. They expressed the earnest hope that the Paris Meetings would lead to a just and lasting peace as soon as possible. They recognized the need to develop a framework for international cooperation on the broadest possible basis to assist in the rehabilitation of Viet- Nam and other countries affected by the war as well as to ensure that peace in this part of the region will be just and durable.

9. Reviewing the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Ministers expressed concern at the tension created by the provocative and aggressive acts including the increasing armed infiltrations into the Republic of Korea. They warmly commended, in this connection, the successful efforts of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea to strengthen the country's position in order to safeguard its national security and to sustain rapid development of its national economy.

10. Noting the Report of the Standing Committee, the Minister expressed their gratification at the progress in the work of the organization as recorded in the Report and their appreciation to the Chairman and members of the Standing Committee in Tokyo for all their work which had made this progress possible.

11. The Ministers welcomed the fact that ASPAC was now firmly established as an important forum for close consultation and co-operation in the political, social and economic fields and affirmed their belief that it would become increasingly effective in meeting its basic objectives. They noted with approval the practical and flexible approach maintained in all ASPAC activities during the past year. They endorsed the attention given by the Standing Committee to the outward-looking character of the organi­zation and noted that this was reflected in the understanding that all ASPAC projects were open to non-member countries, subject to the approval of the Council.

12. The Ministers agreed that the practice of informal consultation among ASPAC members in other international organizations and on the occasion of major international meetings had proved to be very useful, providing opportunities not only for discussing issues under consideration at the particular conference but also for promoting an awareness of common aims and problems among member countries. The Ministers accordingly agreed that this practice be continued and, wherever possible and appropriate, further extended.

13. The Ministers formally approved the draft Agreement submitted by the Standing Committee for the establishment of an ASPAC Food and Fertilizer Technology Centre and agreed that the Agreement should be open for signature at the conclusion of their meeting. The Government of the Republic of China, acting as host to the Centre which will be set up in Taipei, undertook to meet the cost of its establishment and administration, while the cost of operation of the Centre would be shared by participating Governments. The Centre is designed to promote the exchange and dissemination of technical information and experience particularly in the fields of the use of chemical fertilizers and the adoption of related modern farming methods.

14. The Ministers considered and approved the Outline Plan concern­- ing an ASPAC Economic Co-operation Centre to be established in Bang­ kok. They agreed that the Standing Committee should proceed to draft an agreement setting up the Centre on the basis of the Outline Plan so as to make possible its establishment as early as practicable. They noted with appreciation the offer made by the Government of Thailand to bear for the first three years all the costs of the establishment and operation of the Centre except for expenses directly related to experts who will be voluntaryily provided by participating Governments and certain expenses to be borne by countries requesting the services of the Centre. Through studies, research projects, exchange of information and other appropriate activities, the Centre is intended to promote closer and more harmonious economic relations among member countries so as to facilitate effective economic growth and development of the ASPAC region as a whole.

15. The Ministers received with appreciation the proposal of the Japanese Government for an ASPAC Maritime Co-operation Scheme and referred it to the Standing Committee for detailed consideration and report to the Fifth Ministerial Meeting. The proposal is aimed at developing a framework for regional co-operation to secure greater safety at sea and is divided into two parts, consisting of a regional co-operation scheme for search and rescue at sea and a programme for the improvement of maritime traffic facilities.

16. The Ministers took note of the Philippine proposal for the Standing Committee to undertake a study of the possibility of mobilizing the youth of Asia for volunteer work on community development and other similar projects.

17. The Ministers noted with appreciation the reports on the ASPAC Registry of Experts' Services and the ASPAC Cultural and Social Centre. They expressed satisfaction at the fact that these two ASPAC projects had now made important beginnings in their respective spheres of activity.

18. The Ministers agreed that they should continue to meet annually. The Ministers accepted with appreciation the offer made by the Govern ment of New Zealand to hold the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Council in New Zealand in 1970. Consequently and in accordance with established practice, the Standing Committee will meet in Wellington under the chairmanship of the Minister of External Affairs of New Zealand during the coming twelve months, and the New Zealand Government will act as a clearing house and provide a working secretariat pending arid during the Fifth Ministerial Meeting.

19. The Ministers expressed their warm appreciation for the cordial and generous hospitality of the Government and people of Japan extended to them during their stay in Japan. They also expressed their deep appreciation for the facilities provided and the arrangement made by the Government of Japan for the activities of the Standing Committee during the past year.