Asean

China and Philippines Strike Tentative Deal to Ease South China Sea Tensions

China and the Philippines have announced a provisional agreement aimed at reducing tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea. The deal comes after a series of recent naval confrontations that raised fears of a wider escalation between the two countries. According to officials, the arrangement is intended to manage access to the shoal and allow Philippine resupply missions to reach…