At an international conference focusing on African development, the Japanese government has announced that they will provide $30 billion in development aid to various African countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the $30 billion in aid would be provided over three years. The country would also provide additional donations to help address food security in the region.

While addressing the crowd via a video link, the Japanese Prime Minster acknowledged that China and Russia are working to influence countries in the region and said the $30 billion would help counter this. Prime Minister Kishida said “If we give up on a rules-based society and permit unilateral changes of the status quo by force, the impact of that will extend not only through Africa, but all the world.”

This comes as the Pentagon says that China is currently exploring a second potential military base on Africa’s west coast. In addition, Russia has pledged to strengthen relations with many African countries following Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to the region.