A month before the Asian Games, China released a new national map, doubling down on its claims to almost the entire South China Sea and disputed border territories with India.
"The Asian Games embodies the Asian people's shared desire for peace, unity and inclusiveness," Xi told them, according to his prepared remarks. Taiwan's athletes even received one of the loudest rounds of applause at the opening ceremony, though have to compete under the name "Chinese Taipei" and without their flag due to China's claim on the island off of its east coast, which it has not ruled out taking by force.
The headlines the state-run China Daily's supplement edition for the games carried after the opening ceremony included "Xi extends hand of friendship," and "Wave of Glory" alongside a photo of the Chinese leader waving to the crowds. The Philippine coast guard reported over the weekend that it had detected a floating barrier placed by China's coast guard to prevent Filipino fishing boats from entering a lagoon in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.