Regional Security: Taiwan says Chinese naval formations, including the Liaoning carrier group, conducted “area denial” drills in the Western Pacific as military activity around the island rises. ASEAN Politics: Philippine lawmakers urged the House to oppose President Marcos’s planned welcome for Donald Trump, arguing his visit to the Nov. 16–18 summit could heighten regional tensions and weaken ASEAN’s independence. AI Investment: SoftBank, Grab and Sarawak’s Petros plan an initial US$1.85 billion for AI infrastructure in Malaysia, with a long-term target of at least five gigawatts; Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the country must build and export more home-grown technology. Climate Talks: At COP31, the Philippines is pressing for climate finance for ocean and coastal communities, binding offshore wind targets and an end to new offshore fossil-fuel expansion. China Trade: China recorded a US$1.04 trillion surplus in the first ten months of 2026, putting it on track to exceed last year’s record. Indian Ocean Security: Japan will provide Sri Lanka’s navy surveillance boats worth about US$6.3 million for monitoring, law enforcement and disaster response.