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mid ongoing tension with China over conflicting territorial claims near the Natuna Islands, Indonesia has received a boost from the Japanese government, which decided to help enhance surveillance and supply patrol vessels for the disputed area.

The cooperation was made official in a meeting between Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti and Hiroto Izumi, special advisor to the Japanese prime minister, on Wednesday as they agreed one of the Natunas would be among the six outer islands to get coastal radars.

The Japanese government would also enhance surveillance around Sabang, Panambulai, Talaud, Morotai and Moa. Both parties have agreed they would seek every means to implement the project as soon as possible.

In addition to that, the Japanese government, which has a territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea, would build patrol and multipurpose vessels and apply open system satellites to strengthen surveillance.

In a joint statement with Izumi, Susi said the Indonesian government appreciated Japan’s assistance and called it a token of friendship between “two countries in Asia that respect each other’s sovereignty.”

After the meeting, she said “This cooperation is being undertaken to boost development in fisheries, security and navigation systems in Indonesian waters.”

The meeting was held just two weeks after China protested the Indonesia’s decision to rename an area of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) the North Natuna Sea.

An official note sent by the Chinese Foreign Ministry to the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 5 said Indonesia’s move to change an internationally accepted name caused “complications and expansion of the dispute and affects peace and stability.”

Thirty percent of Indonesia’s EEZ north of the Natuna Islands, home of significant natural resources, falls within China’s so-called nine-dash line and China said that the new name would not change the fact that the two countries had overlapping claims.

After Wednesday’s meeting, Susi said the main focus of the cooperation with the Japan was in the development of outer islands and the promotion of fisheries in seven areas under the Japan-Indonesia Maritime Forum.

“This cooperation project around six outer islands of Indonesia has been carefully planned to mark the 60th anniversary of relations between Indonesia and Japan,” she said.

The ministry denied the project had any relation to the maritime dispute with China, or that it was an attempt by the Japanese government to build up its influence in the South China Sea.

The ministry’s marine space management director general, Brahmantya Satyamurti, said that the key focus of the cooperation was to develop the fisheries around six outer islands.

“The Natunas is just one of the six locations [where the Japanese government is giving assistance],” he told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, Izumi said the assistance was also a form of support for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s goal of transforming Indonesia into a global maritime axis and the Japan would work at an “extraordinary” pace to help.

“We will work very fast in every area to actualize this project, including in financing,” he said.

On Tuesday, Izumi met with Jokowi in the State Palace complex to discuss various infrastructure projects.