Reuters – Taiwan says Chinese planes crossed median line, China carries out landing drills

Associated Press – As China’s Xi Jinping visits Europe, Ukraine, trade and investment are likely to top the agenda

Ukraine, trade and investment are expected to dominate Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s first trip to Europe in five years, as the Asian giant rebuilds its foreign relations after a prolonged absence during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Diplomat – What a Rising India and a New Japan Could Mean for the Indo-Pacific

On April 10, the summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio set the stage for the evolution of the Japan-U.S. partnership with the announcement of a “new era of U.S.-Japan strategic cooperation,” which would see Tokyo play a more prominent and active role in the U.S.-led Asian security architecture.

The Diplomat – For First Time, China Publicizes Alleged 2016 South China Sea Agreement With Philippines

For the first time, China has publicized what it claims is an unwritten 2016 agreement with the Philippines over access to South China Sea islands.

Reuters – Taiwan reports second Chinese ‘combat patrol’ in a week

Taiwan’s defence ministry on Thursday said that China had carried out a “joint combat readiness patrol” near the island for the second time in a week.

Reuters – Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over South China Sea flare-up

The Philippines summoned a Chinese diplomat on Thursday to protest Beijing’s use of water cannon against Filipino vessels at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, describing it as harassment and “dangerous manoeuvres”.