By Luke Hunt
In a move likely to raise eyebrows in Beijing, Japan has pledged billions of dollars in foreign aid to five Southeast Asian countries where it is increasingly vying against China for influence among governments hoping to secure long term funding.
Under the deal, announced by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda at the Japan-Mekong Summit over the weekend, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam will receive $7.4 billion over three years from April 2013.
Noda justified the package saying stability in East Asia couldn’t be attained unless there is stability in the Mekong region, adding: “Japan will continue to vigorously promote cooperation with the Mekong region as a key area for assistance,” he said.
Read the full story at The Diplomat