South China Sea Tensions Escalate: Clash at Second Thomas Shoal, Japan-Philippines Boundary Talks, and COC Push

A Chinese coast guard vessel injured a Philippine soldier at Second Thomas Shoal. Japan and the Philippines moved to delimit their maritime boundary, prompting a coercive Chinese response. ASEAN and China target a year-end Code of Conduct, but experts doubt conclusion due to fundamental disagreements. The US reaffirms its interests.