BEIJING/MANILA -- China and the Philippines entered a "gentleman's agreement" to avoid conflict in the South China Sea under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said Thursday, in a revelation that could be aimed at rattling the current administration in Manila.
Under the agreement, which isn't recognized by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila apparently promised not to repair or build structures at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed Spratly Islands, which the Philippines effectively controls.
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