During the first half of this month, China has continued to intensify its pressure on various nations in the disputed waters of East Asia. In the East China Sea, China is proceeding with unilateral development near the Japan-China median line, in violation of the 2008 agreement. China is also highly active in the South China Sea; in response to the Philippines formally depositing its nautical charts with the UN to assert sovereignty over disputed areas, China immediately rejected the move. Concurrently, China conducted joint maneuvers involving its Navy and Coast Guard in the contested waters, strongly signaling that there is no change in its stance.

To counter Chinese pressure, regional stakeholders are pursuing their own initiatives. In its Defense White Paper, Japan pointed out the intensifying activities of the Chinese military and Coast Guard in the East China Sea and the Pacific, while also sounding the alarm over the expanding military cooperation between China and Russia. Meanwhile, Taiwan conducted its Han Kuang military exercise to practice its response to a potential Chinese invasion, demonstrating its resolve for national defense both at home and abroad.