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Story summary
- In the South China Sea, talks in Cebu led to a multilateral meeting endorsing a roadmap for code of conduct negotiations among China and ASEAN claimants.
- Manila's visa-free policy for Chinese nationals signals a move toward managed competition.
- United States–Philippines joint patrols near Scarborough Shoal, followed by Chinese patrols, indicate rising tensions.
- Both sides engage in dialogue to demonstrate responsible governance, but de-escalation space is diminishing.
