TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Monday that Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should form a joint security framework to counter Chinese threats.

In an interview with Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, Lin cited undersea cable sabotage and “fake news” and noted the three countries sit along the first island chain between China and the Pacific, per CNA.

Facing similar threats, the three democracies should build a cooperative framework with a practical division of labor, he said.

Lin also urged Japanese support for Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and called for talks on an Economic Partnership Agreement.

He praised new Liberal Democratic Party leader Takaichi Sanae, saying he has known her for a long time. If the Diet chooses her as prime minister, Japan would be able to play a leading role in the Indo-Pacific, Lin said.