World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
ASEAN and partner defense chiefs begin talks in the Philippines
Defense chiefs from ASEAN countries and key partners began two days of talks on Wednesday in Cebu, in the central Philippines.
Senior officials from the United States, India, Japan and Australia are attending, drawing attention to the Quad, a grouping of those four countries.
The meeting comes as tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea remain simmering.
The chiefs are expected to discuss possible effects of the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted the global economy.
The talks put the Philippines in a diplomatic balancing act as it hosts ASEAN members and major partner countries.
The meetings are due to continue for two days, but no specific outcomes are given.
Defense chiefs from ASEAN countries and key partners began two days of talks in Cebu, the Philippines, on Wednesday.
The meeting brought together officials from the United States, India, Japan and Australia.
The chiefs were expected to discuss potential effects of the Middle East conflict on the global economy.
Manila-Beijing tensions over the South China Sea remained at a simmer.
- Who
- Defense chiefs from ASEAN member countries and key partners, including top officials from the United States, India, Japan and Australia.
- What
- They began two days of talks.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Cebu, in the central Philippines.
- Why
- They were expected to discuss potential spillover from the Middle East conflict, which has roiled the global economy.
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- Location
- Cebu, Philippines
- Duration
- Two days
- Partner countries represented
- United States, India, Japan and Australia
- Expected discussion
- Potential spillover from the Middle East conflict on the global economy
- Regional tension
- Manila-Beijing tensions over the South China Sea remained at a simmer