The operations were announced by China’s military and maritime authorities as regional defense leaders gathered in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading security forum, where concerns over maritime disputes and regional stability featured prominently.

The People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command said naval and air units carried out combat-readiness patrols in what it described as the territorial waters and airspace surrounding Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contested features in the South China Sea.

In a statement published on the social media platform WeChat, the command said the patrols were intended to counter what it called rights violations and provocative activities in the area.

China’s coast guard separately confirmed that it had undertaken law-enforcement patrols near the shoal and said it had handled vessels engaged in what it described as illegal activities during the month. The agency did not provide additional details regarding the incidents.

The Philippine Embassy in Beijing did not immediately comment on the patrols.

The Chinese operations followed remarks by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who told Reuters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue that the Philippines remained under a “severe threat” from China both territorially and politically.

Teodoro said Manila had little choice but to remain resilient and continue resisting what he described as Chinese aggression, despite a recent easing of tensions between Washington and Beijing following talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month.

Scarborough Shoal has become a recurring flashpoint in the increasingly tense maritime dispute between China and the Philippines. The area is rich in fishing resources and occupies a strategically important position in the South China Sea.

Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels have intensified in recent years, with several incidents involving collisions, water-cannon encounters and injuries to personnel.

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea through its so-called “nine-dash line,” a sweeping claim that overlaps with the exclusive economic zones claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

The dispute has remained one of Asia’s most sensitive geopolitical issues despite repeated diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis under international law. Beijing rejected the ruling and has continued to assert its claims across the strategic waterway.

The latest patrols underscore the persistence of territorial disputes in the region even as major powers seek to stabilize broader diplomatic relations.

Addressing defense officials, military leaders and diplomats gathered in Singapore, Koizumi argued that criticism of Japan’s security posture was misplaced given the country’s longstanding adherence to international law and the absence of strategic weapons such as nuclear arms and long-range strategic bombers.

“Think about it. There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled ‘new militarism’?” Koizumi said in remarks widely interpreted as directed at China.

The comments reflected growing tensions between Asia’s two largest economies as regional governments respond to shifting security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Japan has expanded defense spending and strengthened security partnerships in recent years amid concerns over China’s military modernization and increasingly assertive actions in regional waters.

Koizumi said Japan had consistently supported the international rules-based order since the end of the Second World War and remained committed to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

“Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has consistently respected international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and has made sincere efforts to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order,” he said.

The speech came weeks after China’s Foreign Ministry urged Asia-Pacific nations to remain vigilant against what it described as Japan’s “neo-militarism,” reflecting Beijing’s longstanding concerns over Tokyo’s defense reforms and closer security cooperation with Western allies.

Koizumi also expressed disappointment that he was unable to meet Chinese defense officials during the forum.

“I feel sad,” he said, referring to the absence of Chinese counterparts from discussions at the annual gathering.

For the second consecutive year, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun did not attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, depriving regional officials of one of the few opportunities for informal high-level military engagement between China and other countries.

The absence comes as strategic competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, with disputes in the South China Sea, concerns over Taiwan, and competing military buildups increasingly shaping regional security discussions.

Japan’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities have become a central element of its national security strategy, but Tokyo maintains that its policies remain defensive in nature and consistent with the country’s post-war constitutional framework.

The adjustment to the landmark defense agreement was announced on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and British Defence Secretary John Healey.

In a joint statement, the three ministers said the revised arrangement would simplify Australia’s acquisition process while reducing logistical and maintenance complexities.

“The deputy prime minister and secretaries welcomed the proposed approach to streamline Australia’s acquisition of Virginia-class submarines, simplifying supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements, and maximizing cost efficiencies,” the statement said.

Under the revised plan, Australia will receive three operational Virginia-class submarines from the U.S. Navy rather than the previously anticipated mix of two used vessels and one newly built submarine.

The change reflects ongoing production challenges within the United States naval shipbuilding sector. The U.S. Navy currently operates 24 Virginia-class submarines, but American shipyards have struggled to achieve construction targets of two new submarines annually.

The AUKUS partnership, unveiled in 2021 by Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, is designed to strengthen security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarine capabilities for the first time.

The submarine program remains the centerpiece of Australia’s long-term defense strategy amid growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. Government projections estimate the initiative could cost up to A$368 billion (US$235 billion) over three decades.

The revised arrangement may also help address concerns raised by some U.S. lawmakers and defense analysts who have questioned whether Washington should transfer advanced submarines to allies while facing pressure to expand its own naval fleet.

Officials from the three countries did not indicate any changes to the broader objectives of the AUKUS partnership, which also includes cooperation on advanced military technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities.

The announcement came as defense leaders from around 45 countries gathered in Singapore for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, where maritime security, military modernization and regional strategic competition dominated discussions.

Australia has argued that acquiring nuclear-powered submarines is essential to enhancing its long-range deterrence and operational capabilities in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific security environment.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said the United States possesses sufficient military capabilities and munitions stockpiles to restart operations if required, while emphasizing that the administration remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic settlement.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary ,we are more than capable,” Hegseth said, adding that US military inventories are adequately positioned both in the region and globally.The remarks come as negotiators from Washington and Tehran continue efforts to overcome key differences that have stalled a broader agreement aimed at extending an early-April ceasefire and establishing a permanent framework to end hostilities.

Hegseth said President Donald Trump remains committed to securing what he described as a strong agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump said on Friday he would convene advisers in a secure White House facility to make a final decision on a proposal that would extend the current truce by an additional 60 days.

The conflict, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while disrupting global energy markets through the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Despite the Middle East conflict, Hegseth rejected suggestions that Washington’s strategic focus had shifted away from the Indo-Pacific. He said the United States is expanding its defense-industrial capacity to increase weapons production and maintain readiness across multiple theaters simultaneously.

At the same forum, Hegseth urged Asian allies to increase defense spending in response to China’s growing military capabilities, describing Beijing’s military expansion as a source of concern for regional security.

He argued that a stronger network of capable regional partners is necessary to preserve the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and deter potential aggression. Hegseth warned that dominance by any single power would undermine regional stability and prosperity.

Echoing a longstanding position of the Trump administration, Hegseth said allies should assume greater responsibility for their own defense and reduce dependence on US military support.“The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over,” he said, adding that strong alliances require all partners to contribute meaningfully to collective security.

Hegseth cited defense contributions from countries including South Korea, Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, while highlighting efforts by Japan to strengthen its military capabilities and deepen cooperation with Washington.

The annual summit, hosted in Singapore and attended by defense ministers, military leaders and security experts from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, has traditionally provided a platform for senior Chinese officials to outline Beijing’s strategic priorities and engage directly with counterparts from major powers.

This year, however, China did not send Defense Minister Dong Jun. Instead, Beijing dispatched a delegation composed largely of military academics and researchers from the People’s Liberation Army, marking a noticeable departure from its customary high-profile representation.

The absence also meant Dong did not participate in face-to-face meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or defense officials from countries including Australia, Britain, France and Japan.

A centerpiece of previous Shangri-La Dialogues had been a keynote address by China’s defense minister or another senior official outlining Beijing’s views on regional security, military modernization and international affairs. That session was absent from the conference agenda for the second consecutive year.

Speaking during his keynote address, Hegseth noted the absence of his Chinese counterpart and said he hoped future opportunities would arise for direct communication between the two sides on issues where military actions and intentions can be interpreted differently.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles described China’s limited participation as a missed opportunity for candid dialogue on regional security concerns.

Despite the absence from Singapore, Dong met Hegseth earlier this month during President Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Members of the Chinese delegation downplayed the significance of the minister’s nonattendance. Retired PLA senior colonel Zhou Bo said academic delegations had participated in the forum before, though he acknowledged that this year’s representation was at a comparatively lower level.

Analysts attending the forum suggested Beijing may have sought to avoid difficult questions regarding cross-strait tensions involving Taiwan and the impact of recent military corruption investigations on China’s defense establishment.

Chong Ja Ian said the composition of the delegation raised questions about its authority to speak on behalf of the Chinese government and military leadership.

Some diplomats also suggested Beijing may have wished to avoid a repeat of previous confrontations at the forum. In 2025, Hegseth sharply criticized China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific and urged regional allies to strengthen defense spending, prompting a strong response from Beijing.

This year, Hegseth adopted a more measured tone while still warning against any attempt by a single power to dominate the region. He said no country should be able to impose hegemony over regional security and prosperity, while also noting that relations between Washington and Beijing had improved compared with previous years.

China began regularly sending senior delegations to the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2007 and elevated its participation by dispatching defense ministers on multiple occasions, including from 2022 through 2024. The conference was suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan said the primary purpose of the forum remains maintaining U.S. strategic engagement in Southeast Asia. While Chinese ministerial participation is welcome, he argued, it is not essential to the event’s broader objectives.