Japan's foreign minister Fumio Kishida has said he hopes that Japan and Vietnam can reaffirm their cooperation on maritime issues when he visits the country next month.

Japan has pledged to help pay to install radar systems, radios and other equipment on patrol ships operated by Vietnam's maritime police, NHK quoted Kishida as saying.

Kishida plans to visit Vietnam on July 1 after wrapping up a visit to Cambodia

Japanese government officials are arranging a meeting between Kishida and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Kishida says he will convey Japan's support for Vietnam's policy of resolving its territorial dispute with China in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea, through dialogue.

Vietnam and China are locked in a standoff after China has unilaterally installed an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf on May 1.

Chinese ships have since rammed Vietnamese vessels.

Kishida says he hopes to confirm that Japan and Vietnam will work together to maintain maritime order based on the rule of law.

Kishida’s statement came after Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said at the Shangri-La dialogue on May 30 that Japan would “offer its utmost support for the efforts of the countries of ASEAN as they work to ensure the security of the seas and the skies, and thoroughly maintain freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight.”

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