Duterte met with his Chinese counterpart Xi on October 20, state media said, as the Philippines leader seeks closer ties with the Asian giant while blasting his US allies. / AFP PHOTO / POOL
President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping on Thursday (October 20) agreed to resume their talks over disputes and issues in the South China Sea, Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said.
“The two presidents agreed that China and the Philippines will return to the track of dialogue and consultation to properly handle the South China Sea issue,” Liu said through a translator.
“China is ready for discussions with friends in the Philippines on maritime cooperation and cooperation on other areas,” he added.
Duterte arrived in Beijing on Tuesday with at least 200 businessmen to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance, amid deteriorating relations with longtime ally United States.
Liu said both camps mentioned the sea dispute during the bilateral meeting but cleared that it should not be the “sum total” of the partnership. (Eagle News Service)