Japan and Indonesia agreed to enhance cooperation on maritime security with an eye on China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea over territorial claims.

The Philippines and China agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate despite their disagreements in the South China Sea, their foreign ministries said on Thursday, as heated rows persist over vessels deployed around disputed features.

The Japanese prime minister visited Indonesia and Malaysia, as part of efforts to integrate the Southeast Asian nations into Tokyo’s preparations for a catastrophic US-led war against China.

BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Japan and Indonesia pledged on Saturday to deepen economic and defense ties during a visit by the Japanese prime minister amid heightened global geopolitical tensions.

A Philippine security official says China is “pushing us to the wall” with growing aggression in the disputed South China Sea and warned that “all options are on the table” for Manila’s response, including new international lawsuits.

BOGOR, Jan 11 — Japan will give Indonesia two high-speed patrol boats, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday, as Tokyo seeks to boost regional maritime security cooperation in the face of growing assertiveness by China.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in mid-2022, the Philippines has aggressively defended its territorial interests in the South China Sea, a key global trading route.