East China Sea (ECS)
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Across The Region
Philippines, Vietnam boost military ties amid South China Sea tensions
The Philippines and Vietnam will advance defense and military relations and deepen collaboration on maritime security, a significant step by two countries concerned over Beijing’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang held talks with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during his August 2024 visit to Manila, where he also met with Philippine…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
G7 condemns China’s coercion, boosts Free and Open Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff The foreign affairs chiefs of the Group of Seven leading industrial nations said they are committed to upholding a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and secure and based on “sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms and human rights.” A joint statement in mid-March 2025 from the G7 nations of Canada, France, Germany, Italy,…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Australia, Japan, U.S. to hold trilateral military training
The Associated Press Japan will deploy troops for joint training with Australian and United States forces in northern Australia, the countries’ defense ministers said as they expressed concern about a spate of confrontations with the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) increasingly assertive military. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles hosted Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
CCP coercion stands in stark contrast to Coast Guard cooperation by Allies and Partners
FORUM Staff An increasingly aggressive coast guard signals the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) willingness to risk escalation in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, analysts say. Meanwhile, like-minded nations are cooperating to uphold stability in the region. Rather than focusing on traditional law enforcement missions targeting smugglers or providing search and rescue, the CCP has militarized coast guard ships…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Japan strengthens island defenses with new submarine, multilayered strategy
Felix Kim With growing concern over a potential invasion of self-governed Taiwan by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) forces, Japan is enhancing the defense of its southwest Nansei Islands, the Japanese territory nearest Taiwan. Any attack on the island chain, which is protected by robust air defense systems and Japan’s steadfast alliance with the United States, would prompt a formidable and…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Quad leaders to expand maritime security cooperation in face of PRC aggression
FORUM Staff Australia, India, Japan and the United States will launch joint Coast Guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific in 2025. The enhanced security cooperation will improve interoperability and boost maritime safety, the leaders of the four member nations of the Quadrilateral partnership, or Quad, announced after their late September 2024 summit in the U.S. The initial Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Australia, Japan boost defense ties in face of PRC incursions
The Associated Press Australia and Japan will increase joint military exercises as the nations share concerns over the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) recent incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met for a regular summit with their Australian counterparts, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles, in…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Chinese military aircraft enters Japanese airspace for first time, spurs condemnation
Voice of America Japan scrambled fighter jets after confirming a Chinese military surveillance aircraft violated its territorial airspace off Nagasaki prefecture’s Danjo Islands in the East China Sea in late August 2024, Japan’s Defense Ministry said. The People’s Liberation Army Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft remained in Japanese airspace for about two minutes, officials said. It was the first incursion by a…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Japan, U.S. defense alliance gets ‘historic’ upgrade for greater interoperability in Free and Open Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff The United States is making a consequential and historic upgrade to its U.S. Forces Japan, which will become a Joint Force Headquarters allowing for greater interoperability between the U.S. military and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. “We welcome an historic decision to modernize our Alliance command and control to better meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” U.S. Defense…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Japan’s USV technology gains momentum amid escalating maritime tensions
Thisanka Siripala The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is prioritizing implementation of uncrewed surface vessels (USV), describing the technology as a game changer in intelligence gathering, surveillance and combat support. Tokyo is seeking to boost its maritime observation capabilities in response to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) repeated incursions around the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.…
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