This closer alignment reflects shared concerns about maintaining a rules-based regional order and China’s growing use of hybrid threats, particularly the pressure faced by the Philippines in the South China Sea. David Dutton, senior resident fellowTeodoro’s visit to Darwin followed several incidents in the past few months between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. This strongly reiterated support for freedom of navigation and overflight, the 2016 arbitral award against China’s South China Sea claims, and peaceful resolution of disputes. Rachel Vandenbrink, senior analystIn all the public commentary about the Philippines and the South China Sea, the region’s other conflict flashpoint, Taiwan, flew under the radar. Manila continues to preserve channels with Beijing, while energy insecurity has revived discussion of joint oil and gas development in the South China Sea.