Japan and the United States have agreed to boost joint reconnaissance operations in an apparent bid to counter China’s strength in the region.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and U.S. President Barack Obama reached the agreement during their meeting at the White House on Monday.

NHK said Noda and Obama agreed to have U.S. forces and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces jointly use U.S. training ranges in Guam in a bid to conduct expansive reconnaissance operations and vigilance efforts in the Asia Pacific region.