South China Sea dispute to ‘take back seat’ in talks with Xi, Duterte says
Philippine president says he will wait for his Chinese counterpart to raise the maritime dispute in Beijing
A Hague ruling on the South China Sea was just a “piece of paper” and the case would “take the back seat” in talks with President Xi Jinping on Thursday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in Beijing on Wednesday.
Officials said the two sides were expected to sign nearly 20 memoranda of understanding – mostly on economic cooperation – and shore up other joint efforts against drugs and terrorism.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing was pleased to move towards resolving the maritime territorial dispute “through consultation and dialogue”.
This is how two friendly neighbours should treat each other
“This is how two friendly neighbours should treat each other,” she said. “We have our own judgment on who is our friend, and we know what issues we can handle in a way like between friends.”
Duterte arrived in Beijing on Tuesday with a huge business delegation to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance, amid deteriorating ties with long-time ally the United States.
His effort to engage China, just months after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, reverses Philippine foreign policy.
China refused to take part in the arbitration case brought by Manila or recognise its findings.