The rivalry between China and Taiwan is causing disunity among Pacific Island countries. Last year's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) summit avoided bringing the issue to light by not inviting external partner countries to the meeting. However, this year's chair, Palau, maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan and invited the Taiwanese delegation. In response, China expressed serious concern, warning that it would lead to "consequences," and ramped up pressure by citing the "understanding and support" of other Pacific Island nations. Palau requested that other countries condemn China for its missile launch test in July, but due to Nauru's opposition, they were forced to limit their response to merely expressing concern. China reacted strongly against Palau's stance, a move that Taiwan subsequently criticized. Within the PIF, the United States has also increased its engagement to counter China's expanding influence, making the US-China rivalry increasingly apparent. Other external partner countries, including Japan, also participated in PIF-related meetings to deepen cooperation with the island nations and counter China's growing presence.

China is also engaging in a war of words with the Philippines. At the Seoul Defense Dialogue, the Philippine Defense Secretary sharply criticized China's attitude toward the South China Sea arbitration ruling, drawing global attention to the China-Philippines confrontation.

Furthermore, China has been dispatching intelligence-gathering aircraft around Japan with unprecedented frequency, intensifying its information-gathering activities in the East China Sea.