Taiwan said on Friday China’s decision to open new air routes that run close to two Taiwanese-controlled islands was a flight safety risk taken without consultation, and said it would demand any aircraft using them be asked to turn around.
The U.S. State Department said on Friday it expects to finalize trade exemptions for the AUKUS defense project with Australia and Britain in the next 120 days, signaling a further delay in but offering the prospect of a positive outcome in the project to counter China.
Filipino and American forces will conduct their annual joint military exercises next week, including simulations of sinking ships, which likely will irk China amid flaring tensions in the South China Sea.
On March 19, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Bill proposed by the Hong Kong government, with the legislation taking effect on March 23.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday in Jakarta in an effort to strengthen ties with China ahead of the handover to his successor in October.