Has China Changed Its South China Sea Policiy?

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (R) is shown the way by Chinese President Xi Jinping before a signing ceremony held in Beijing, China, October 20, 2016. Reuters/Ng Han Guan/Pool

Reuters: China says 'situation' at disputed Scarborough Shoal has not changed

China said on Monday the situation at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea "has not changed and will not change", after the Philippines said Chinese vessels that blocked the area for four years had stopped harassing its fishermen.

Philippine security officials on Sunday said China had scaled down its maritime presence at the shoal since President Rodrigo Duterte's return from a visit to Beijing aimed at patching-up ties and courting investment.

The disputed territory is significant not only for fishing, but for the broader balance of power in the South China Sea, and the circumstances behind China's apparent softening of its position are not clear.

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Update: China and the Philippines have turned the corner on one of their biggest disputes, but the path ahead is unclear (Business Insider).

WNU Editor: I do not see much of a change. Chinese military ships are still there .... China ships still at disputed shoal, fishermen back (ABS-CBN) .... and the Chinese government is making it very clear that and these Philippine fishing boats are only there because of the goodwill of Beijing .... China confirms Philippine fishermen allowed into Scarborough Shoal (Asian Correspondent).

Update #2: There is a lot of truth to this .... Duterte deal with China over Scarborough Shoal exposes US failure (CNN).