SEAToday.com, Tokyo-Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders on Saturday committed to strengthening maritime security cooperation, according to a draft statement at a summit in Tokyo.

The cooperation will be focused not only on boosting economic ties but also on guarding against the growing regional assertiveness of China.

According to the draft of the summit’s final statement, Japan and ASEAN will commit to strengthening security cooperation, including maritime security cooperation.

The leaders are also expected to stress the need for a rules-based Indo-Pacific region, that is free and open, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for territorial integrity.

Japan last month has agreed to loan the Philippines which has seen a rise in incidents involving Chinese vessels in recent weeks. The loan will be used to buy new coast guard vessels and to supply a radar system.

Both countries also agreed to start talks on a reciprocal access agreement, that would include provisions for the deployment of troops on each other’s soil.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use the summit to talk with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about providing Malaysia with rescue boats and drones under a new security framework.