Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left the Philippines on Friday after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Manila.
He departed from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 11:30 a.m.
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On the sidelines of the Apec summit, Abe met for the first time with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a formal bilateral meeting, where they discussed pressing regional issues including the maritime rows in the East and South China Sea.
鈥�(Abe) explained the region鈥檚 situations including the East China Sea and South China sea. He would like to promote the cooperative relationship with Canada in order to promote peace and stability in the region,鈥� Yasuhisa Kawamura, press secretary of Japan鈥檚 ministry of foreign affairs and Abe鈥檚 spokesperson, said in a press briefing on Thursday.
The Philippines is involved in a sea row with China over the contested island in the West Philippine Sea. The country has a pending arbitration case before the United Nations to counter China鈥檚 nine-dash claims.
Japan, which has been vocal in supporting the Philippines in its cause, will serve as an observer in the second round of oral hearings at the Hague, Netherlands from Nov. 24 to 30.
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Abe also urged fellow Apec leaders to 鈥渃all back鈥� the growing trade protectionism in Asia-Pacific for a more transparent free trade and regional integration. RAM