Japan and Vietnam signed a $345 M deal for six patrol boats. Under the agreement signed by Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the Vietnamese government, Tokyo will issue loans for six boats.

“The project will provide the Vietnam Coast Guard with financing to procure vessels, supporting an improvement in maritime rescue operations and maritime law enforcement,” the JICA said in a statement.

The deal comes after the White House claimed “illegal” naval activities against China.

The Trump administration said Beijing was involved in “completely illegal” maritime activities in most of its strategic waterways and that China had bullied Vietnam and other states to manage resources.