At the ASEAN defense gathering in Cebu on October 29, 2026, Beijing accused an unnamed Philippine politician of obstructing its participation, while Manila stated China was given an opportunity to speak.

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Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that China will send a special diplomatic envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in November 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on November 2, 2026, that the Middle East and Gulf region must not become an arena for great-power competition

China announced on November 2, 2026, that special envoy Zhai Jun will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early-to-mid November to press for an end to regional fighting

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Members of the Squad defense group committed to greater defense policy coordination and working closely together for collective security

Joseph Wu stated on October 28, 2026 that Chinese naval activity presents an obvious simultaneous threat to Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated on October 29, 2026 that the Liaoning's western Pacific training was an annual routine exercise not directed at any country.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated on October 29, 2026, in Cebu that China's military buildup is creating a condition of pressure in Southeast Asia.

Chinese defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang responded on October 29, 2026, urging Manila to recognize reality and refrain from challenging Beijing's resolve to defend its territorial sovereignty.

An international arbitral tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea have no basis under international law, a decision Beijing rejects.

Australia protested against China's test of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific in July 2026, calling the launch destabilizing.

The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command stated its combat readiness patrols around Scarborough Shoal were a necessary countermeasure to Philippine rights-violation and provocative acts.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea via a nine-dash line on its maps cutting into exclusive economic zones of five Southeast Asian nations.

China's militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea prompted Canberra and Washington to deepen defense cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.

The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted combat readiness patrols with naval and air forces around Scarborough Shoal on October 30, 2026.

The China Coast Guard conducted law-enforcement patrols in the waters around Scarborough Shoal on October 30, 2026.

The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command announced that it strengthened its patrols around Scarborough Shoal during October 2026.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on October 23, 2026, that any attempt by China to forcibly tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre would constitute an act of war.

China Coast Guard officer Lin Weicong stated that recent training around Renai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao improved preparedness to respond to foreign infringement.

Mainland Chinese authorities placed Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on a sanctions list in June 2026 over his positions on the South China Sea, Taiwan, and economic relations.

A China Coast Guard flotilla conducted law-enforcement training featuring water cannons, drones, and optoelectronic evidence collection in waters around Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal.