The Philippines is preparing for the Balikatan 2026 military exercises in Northern Luzon and Palawan scheduled between April 20 to May 8. Seven nations, including the Philippines, the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand, are set to deploy around 17,000 troops.
Author: Jonathan Kay
Defence and Politics Correspondent
Vietnam’s Tô Lâm makes first foreign trip to China
On April 15, Chinese Premier Li Qiang welcomed Vietnam’s General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the State President, Tô Lâm, in Beijing for a meeting with Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China who has served as the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party since 2012.
The Philippines seizes cyanide in Chinese boats near Ayungin Shoal
The Philippines National Security Council (NSC) made a shocking discovery on April 13 that suspicious bottles seized from the Chinese sampans near the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), the permanent military outpost in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), tested positive for cyanide.
US and Indonesia launch major defense pact
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth received the Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon, Virginia, on April 13 to announce the establishment of the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP).
Indonesia-Russia sign strategic deals in high-level Moscow visit
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto departed for Moscow, Russia, on the night of April 12. The president plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss several global agenda and trends.
Singapore and Australia strengthen energy agreement to secure fuel supplies
Singapore and Australia reaffirmed their strategic cooperation in a critical energy and essential supplies agreement on April 10.
China–Laos Railway drives surge in cross-border trade
On April 7, the customs authorities of Kunming city reported a record trade along the Laos-China Railway for the fourth quarter of 2026, rising 62.7% year‑on‑year to CN¥6.81 billion (US$992 million).
Singapore rejects talks with Iran over shipping route
On April 7, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs (MFA), stated that Singapore would not negotiate with Iran concerning the shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Vietnamese lawmakers appoint president, prime minister and senior officials
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Secretary-General Tô Lâm was elected to become the country’s state president on April 7. His tenure will last for five years until 2031.
Indonesia to build 400,000 homes in 2026 under Prabowo’s housing program
The Indonesian government is set to build 400,000 houses in 2026, as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s 3 Million Homes Construction and Renovation Program.