Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 20, 2016. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has championed an “independent foreign policy” that has distanced the country from its traditional ally, the US. Photo: AFP Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 20, 2016. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has championed an “independent foreign policy” that has distanced the country from its traditional ally, the US. Photo: AFP
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 20, 2016. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has championed an “independent foreign policy” that has distanced the country from its traditional ally, the US. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

Comment /  Opinion

China and the Philippines chart the course towards a calmer South China Sea 

Zhen Ni says the thaw in relations between China and the Philippines suggests how other Asean countries could make progress in resolving differences over the waters

Topic |   South China Sea
Zhen Ni

Updated: 7:44pm, 12 Apr, 2018

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 20, 2016. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has championed an “independent foreign policy” that has distanced the country from its traditional ally, the US. Photo: AFP Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 20, 2016. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has championed an “independent foreign policy” that has distanced the country from its traditional ally, the US. Photo: AFP
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 20, 2016. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has championed an “independent foreign policy” that has distanced the country from its traditional ally, the US. Photo: AFP
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