Japan’s defence minister said on Tuesday tensions over Taiwan may heighten as he presented an annual defence white paper that again singled out mainland China as Japan’s “greatest strategic challenge”.

TOKYO -- Japan cautioned against China’s rapid acceleration of military activity stretching from its southwestern coasts to the Pacific, describing the moves in a new defense report Tuesday as the biggest strategic challenge.

While India's S. Jaishankar and China's Wang Yi "said the right things," analysts say nothing has changed for the regional rivalry.

The Philippines discreetly bolsters defense ties with Taiwan due to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Under President Marcos Jr.'s new policy, military and academic engagements have increased.

Dozens of troops with Stinger missiles, machine guns, and grenade launchers were filmed riding the subway and practicing movement in stations.

The 41st Han Kuang exercise is taking place against a backdrop of heightened tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its own and has vowed to unify with it—by force, if necessary. This year's live-fire component is the longest ever, reflecting the seriousness with which Taipei views the threat.

In May EU leaders said they were ready to “work hand in hand” with China to deal with “common challenges”. But the Europeans’ short-lived friendliness was as much an attempt to manipulate the Americans as it was an attempt to woo the Chinese,

Taiwan has commenced deploying HIMARS ahead of significant live-fire drills aimed at demonstrating its resolve to counter any Chinese aggression. This move, part of the Han Kuang exercises, emphasizes Taiwan's military readiness against China's intensified military maneuvers around the island.

Australia won’t commit troops ahead of any conflict, says Minister Conroy, amid Taiwan tensions and US pressure. War games kick off with 19 allied nations.

Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation after latest Chinese advancement.

Han Kuang drills, its longest yet, follow new weapon deliveries and come amid rising tensions and PLA ‘harassment’ from China.