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Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit likely aimed at shoring up Asean ties ahead of South China Sea talks

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A Chinese Coast Guard ship launches what the Coast Guard says is a warning water cannon spray in the direction of a Philippine vessel at an unknown location at sea in this screen grab taken from a video released on August 8, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS    THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE VIDEO.     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Observers say it is more likely that the trip is aimed at calming tensions over the South China Sea.

PHOTO: REUTERS

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- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday began

a four-day visit to Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia

– a trip Beijing says is to drum up support for the 10-year anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

But observers say it is more likely that the trip is aimed at calming tensions over the South China Sea, while paving the way for the resumption of negotiations later this year over a binding Code of Conduct (COC).

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