Japan, US criticise China's 'coercion and aggression' as ministers meet

The statement also stressed the importance of "peace and stability" in the Taiwan Strait

Japan and the US joined forces Tuesday to criticise China’s “coercion and aggression” in Asia as senior ministers from both countries held their first in-person talks since President Joe Biden took office in January.
 
Aside from the sharp rhetoric aimed at Beijing, the meeting in Tokyo and a planned stop next in Seoul are as much an effort by the Biden administration to reassure worried allies in Asia after four years of occasionally confrontational dealings with the Trump administration.
 
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after holding the so-called “two plus two” security talks with Defence Secretary Lloyd