Daily brief
US President Donald Trump ordered a military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, risking economic pain for Asian allies and China. China's foreign ministry said the way to resolve the issue is to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities. China also denied reports of planned weapons transfers to Iran, calling them baseless smears, and warned of the risk of a Middle East war resuming.
The US, Australia, and the Philippines held their second joint military drills in the South China Sea this year.
The Philippines accused China of dumping cyanide in the Spratly Islands, poisoning disputed waters.
Taiwan plans drills to break a potential Chinese energy blockade.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary