CNN – US sends land-attack missile system to Philippines for exercises in apparent message to China

China has accused the United States of “stoking military confrontation” with the recent deployment of a powerful missile launcher capable of firing weapons with a range of up to 1,600 kilometers to exercises in the Philippines.

The Diplomat – As Blinken Heads to China, What’s on the Agenda?

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is starting three days of talks with senior Chinese officials in Shanghai and Beijing this week with China-U.S. ties at a critical point over numerous global disputes.

Reuters – US and South Korea to meet on American troop costs this week

U.S. and South Korean officials will meet in Hawaii this week for talks on sharing the cost of keeping American troops in South Korea, with the U.S. seeking “a fair and equitable outcome” that will strengthen the alliance, the U.S. State Department said on Monday.

South China Morning Post – Japan extends anti-China coastguard training push from South China Sea to Pacific islands

Japan’s coastguard has extended an initiative designed to help other nations’ counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea to two Pacific island countries: the Marshall Islands and Micronesia.

The Diplomat – Japan and North Korea Need to Start a New Chapter

North Korea has taken some unprecedented actions of late.

Reuters – Taiwan says new Chinese air routes threaten Taiwanese islands’ flight safety

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.