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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte calls China a ‘friend’ amid South China Sea tensions
- In a speech, Duterte he would not get into a spat with China over the South China Sea because it would result in war
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is maintaining a friendly tone toward China, even after defence officials raised concerns over an increased Chinese presence around a disputed island in the South China Sea.
China is not after Philippine territory and has not asked for anything in exchange for the weapons and aid it’s given the Philippines, Duterte said in a campaign speech in Manila late on Tuesday.
“You know, Red China or Communist China just wants to be friends with us,” Duterte said.
US more likely to end up in ‘shooting war’ in South China Sea, Philippine defence chief says
The president added that he wouldn’t confront China over the two countries’ competing territorial claims in the South China Sea because it would result in war.
More than 200 Chinese ships have been spotted near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the South China Sea since the start of the year, triggering a diplomatic protest from the Philippines.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier this week voiced alarm over China’s actions in the sea, describing Beijing’s island-building activity in waters claimed by Manila as “very concerning” after meeting with acting US counterpart Patrick Shanahan at the Pentagon, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
Diplomats from the Philippines and China held their regular biannual meeting in Manila, where they raised recent issues on the South China Sea, according to a joint statement issued Wednesday.
Both nations reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea.
They also committed to address disputes and discuss oil and gas development, the statement read.
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