Batanes Islands
Coverage of Batanes Islands in the Nexus archive.
- Philippine defence chief warns Chinese teaching exchanges pose grey-zone threat
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr warned that academic exchange programmes with China could be exploited as conduits for grey-zone influence and state-sponsored disinformation, following reports of language teachers in Manila trained by a Chinese university linked to a Batanes Islands controversy.
- Does Beijing own Batanes? Why Chinese scholars’ claim is a warning shot to Manila
Chinese scholars have claimed Beijing's sovereignty over the Batanes Islands, prompting pushback from Manila. The academic discussion at Jinan University in Guangzhou occurred amid Japanese-Philippine maritime border talks, with analysts viewing the claims as a warning shot.
- US Marines in Okinawa receive first MADIS, NMESIS platforms
U.S. Marines in Okinawa received the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), enhancing their capabilities in sea denial and low-altitude air defense. The 3rd Marine Division's 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment first deployed these systems during the Balikatan 26 exercise in the Batanes Islands and Zambales.