2003-present: Military drills in Asia increased, with the US conducting 1,113 exercises and China 130, driven by strategic diplomacy.

Military drills in Asia have increased significantly since 2003, driven by US and China efforts to test capabilities and boost strategic diplomacy. The International Institute of Strategic Studies found that the US conducted 1,113 exercises involving Asian countries, while China ran 130. Despite the increase, China's drills lag in scale and complexity due to a lack of combat experience and underdeveloped exercises.