There have also been concerning actions by China and Russia in the first half of this month.

On September 2, it was reported that China had installed structures such as oil and gas drilling rigs within Taiwan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including the area around the Pratas Islands. On September 10, China announced that it would establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which is a disputed area with the Philippines.
Russia is also taking steps to justify its effective control over the Northern Territories, such as constructing a new war victory memorial facility on Shumshu Island and conducting propaganda and patriotic activities using vessels of the Pacific Fleet.

As part of diplomatic efforts, a Japan-India summit was held on August 29, followed by the Japan-Australia Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations (2+2) on September 5, and　the Japan-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Meeting on September 9. Japan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with these countries in opposing unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas.