Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and European Council President Charles Michel are planning to meet in Japan on Nov. 29 to discuss closer ties in the Indo-Pacific region in the face of China's growing assertiveness, a Japanese government source said Sunday.
Kishida and Michel are expected to raise the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, democratic values and the rule of law, as well as China's attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Seas, during their talks, the source said.
The meeting will be held as Japan seeks to enhance cooperation with the EU to counter China's increasing clout, while the European bloc has been strengthening its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.