Foreign and defense ministers from Japan and Australia are meeting outside Melbourne to discuss strengthening security cooperation amid China’s increased military activity.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru are taking part in “two plus two” talks with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Richard Marles, the defense minister, in Queenscliff on Thursday.

Kamikawa described Australia as indispensable to Japan’s security, as the two countries work together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

She expressed hope for continuously strengthening cooperation and raising it to a new level.

Kihara said he aims to forge a framework for a seamless partnership from normal times to times of contingency and to bolster deterrence and response capabilities.

The two sides are likely exchanging views on China’s increasing military activities, such as an intrusion by its military aircraft into Japanese airspace.

They are also expected to share opposition to efforts to change the status quo by force in the South China Sea and elsewhere.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military last year implemented the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which lays out rules on the handling of weapons and ammunition during joint training.

The ministers are expected to agree on promoting joint training and upgrading the interoperability of cruise missiles that will enhance Japan’s counterstrike capabilities.