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‘China is escalating’ as its vessels make show of force near disputed reef where rusty second world warship serves as Philippine outpost, but Beijing must calibrate actions to avoid drawing in the US, observers say.
Beijing backed down last month over the Second Thomas Shoal but won’t do so this time, analyst says.
Fishing boats joined a coastguard vessel in a recent confrontation with the Philippines near Second Thomas Shoal, the latest example of grey zone tactics.
Beijing released the ‘standard map’ last week, ahead of two key gatherings.
Foreign policy chief Wang Yi says Beijing and Hanoi should ‘pay more attention’ to mutual benefits during a meeting with Vietnamese foreign minister.
Working together in areas such as fisheries and environmental protection could help ongoing talks on a code of conduct, according to one Chinese observer.
Coastguard said 42 vessels believed to be crewed by Chinese maritime militia were seen, while a navy vessel was observed ‘slowly loitering’ near Thitu island in the Spratly chain – a strategically important outpost in the South China Sea.