As the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) was preparing to raise anchor at Sabina Shoal on August 31, it was deliberately rammed multiple times in intimidating and dangerous maneuvers by a China Coast Guard vessel. This marked the third confrontation between the two sides in the same maritime area in recent days.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry met for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue in Auckland on August 30. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and expressed grave concern over China’s provocative actions toward Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

On August 25, official vessel no. 3002 of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, heading from Hasa Hasa Shoal toward Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea to carry out a humanitarian supply replenishment, was surrounded by eight Chinese military and coast guard vessels. The Chinese vessels proceeded to engage in dangerous maneuvers, including approaching at close range, spraying water cannons, and even ramming the Philippine vessel.

Two groups of young agricultural ambassadors from Taiwan will visit Thailand and Malaysia starting Aug. 26 and Sept. 1, respectively, under the government’s Young Agricultural Ambassadors New Southbound Policy Exchange Program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Premier Cho Jung-tai said that the government would continue its practice of introducing artificial intelligence technology to government agencies and various industries to work toward the goal of benefiting the whole of society.

The Australian Senate on August 21 passed an urgency motion stating that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not establish the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. The motion added that the resolution determines neither the future status of Taiwan in the United Nations nor Taiwanese participation in UN agencies or international organizations.

The “Building Climate Change Resilience for Small Island States” workshop was held Aug. 15-16 in Tuvalu under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework to address pressing global issues and solutions.

While visiting Australia from August 15 to 16, Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon held bilateral talks with Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese. In a joint statement issued after their meeting, the leaders reaffirmed the importance of cross-strait peace and stability and expressed concern over rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

The White House on August 17 issued a joint leaders’ statement on the anniversary of the Trilateral Leaders’ Summit held by the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea at Camp David. The statement emphasized further deepening the trilateral partnership in such domains as security, technology, and economics based on the principles established at the 2023 Camp David summit.

In response to a question at a forum held by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on August 16, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo stated that the situation across the Taiwan Strait was very important to the Philippines, adding that he hoped all parties could resolve issues peacefully.