Overview

• Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, stressed the nation's commitment to defending its claims on Taiwan and other disputed territories.
• China's military expansion highlighted at the symposium, with references to its growth as the world's largest navy by hull count.
• The symposium, held in Qingdao, China, saw the absence of Philippine representatives amid ongoing maritime disputes in the region.
• Zhang advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue but warned against distorting international law.
• Recent U.S. military aid to Taiwan and joint U.S.-Philippine drills underscore the heightened tensions in the region.