FM Qin Gang & I also exchanged views on regional & global issues, including on ASEAN, Myanmar, Ukraine, and South China Sea.

Indonesian Air Force confirmed that USAF Stratotanker landed at Bali (17/2) for air refueling exercises with 🇮🇩F-16s

This is a very unique opportunity as we never operate tankers with flying boom

The last time they did it was in 2018 during the delivery…

Australian Defense Minister @RichardMarlesMP visited a military camp in Maguindanao today to observe an ongoing joint exercise on counterterrorism between PH-Australian armies 📸 @TeamAFP

LOOK: Defense Security Corporation Agency (DSCA) Director James Hursch paid a courtesy visit to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila, today, 23 February 2023.

If Japan and the U.S. become involved in a conflict between China and Taiwan, they would be able to prevent Beijing's takeover of the island, but at a heavy cost to their military personnel and equipment, think tank simulations show. (via @NikkeiAsia)

h…

New paper by ASPI's @zhubochubo breaks down the potential effects of conflict across the Taiwan Strait, and contingencies if China gains control of different islands in the South China Sea. 🛳️🇹🇼

https://t.co/j54GlgOcQ8

#China continues to operate two coast guard ships deep in #Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone near Luconia Shoals (Beting Patinggi Ali), including the world’s largest—CCG 5901—which weighs in at 12,000 tons and has approached within 50nm of Malaysia’s coastline.…

“The #Philippines now is different from during Duterte’s time. They learned lessons from the Duterte administration – that by working with #China, they lost out on the #SouthChinaSea but were not gaining anything economically.” -- @CollinSLKoh
https://t.co/ylDt0gLaBz

Yesterday (26/2) @_TNIAL_ KRI Fatahillah (361) and @jmsdf_pao_eng JS Shimakaze (TV-3521) + JS Asagiri (DD-151) performed PASSEX in Molucca Sea

Both 🇯🇵 ships are currently anchored in Bitung, North Sulawesi

📸#TNIAL 2nd Fleet

President Marcos yesterday called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to defend the country’s territory amid a new security landscape and the South China Sea row.

https://t.co/5RzXr3mnvS

My take on the slide toward a crisis over Taiwan and the U.S. role in this interactive dynamic. Saying “We still uphold the One China Policy” means little now after years of erosion. And BJ is not helping. Please RT if you agree w/ the argument. https…

The new naval base across the river from Jiangnan Shipyard looks to be operational, with two 075 LHDs docking alongside the pier in the latest photo from Feb. 27.

#China Coast Guard vessels are believed to still be hovering around the waters of #Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Beting Patinggi Ali (Luconia Shoals), which is rich in oil and gas resources according to @StanfordGKC Project Myoushu.

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Philippine leader urges military to focus on South China Sea - ABC News https://t.co/2ILSJvhxx4

The turnover between U.S. presidential administrations can be a time of uncertainty and vulnerability. https://t.co/NhDxWJLag7

BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37) held a PASSEX with JS Shimakaze (TV-3521) and JS Asagiri (DD-151) before their scheduled port visit in Davao City on March 1st. The 🇯🇵 vessels of JMSDF Training Division 1 arrived in 🇵🇭 after a goodwill exercise with 🇮🇩. (📸 BRP…

"Unfortunately, recruiting and retaining talent is the MSDF’s Achilles heel,” Bradford said. It will require a sizable investment in human resources for the service to be able to take advantage of this new kit.
https://t.co/OmdaeqLKxk

Xinhua’s English translation of Xi’s foreign policy slogan:

“stay calm, maintain resolve, pursue progress while ensuring stability, take active steps, unite as one and have the courage”