Duterte Considers State Visit to China on West Phil. Sea Issue

Duterte hopeful bilateral talks with China on West Philippine Sea to start immediately

Despite sending a special envoy to China, President Rodrigo Duterte still considers to visit China in relation to the claims of Beijing on the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

This was expressed by the president as his administration continues to push for bilateral talks over overlapping claims in the South China Sea and a recent Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that favored the Philippines.

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On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea and that it has breached the Philippines’ sovereign rights with its actions, infuriating Beijing which dismissed the case as a farce.

“Tignan ko if it is to the interest of the nation. If not, then I will not,” he said.

The president kept his statement brief on a possible China visit, but he revealed that he intends to have the bilateral talks with China before the end of 2016.

“Nearer than you think. Within the year, maybe,” Duterte said when asked about the talks with China.

Duterte said both Philippines and China would eventually have to tackle the arbitration ruling.

“There is a time for that. It’s impossible [not to bring up arbitration ruling]… When we are face to face and we come up with hard facts,” he said.

Former President Fidel Ramos was sent to be the special envoy of the Philippines to China.

The President also reiterated the task he gave Ramos, on asserting the country’s fishing rights.

“It’s about time they consider returning the privilege to the Filipinos to fish there,” Duterte said.

He said that it was one of the outcomes of Ramos’ talks with his contacts in Hong Kong.

“I would say,  yes, President Ramos did a very good job there,” Duterte said.

“But China should be hearing us out now. About time that you lift the ban sa tourists and allow the Filipinos to fish there,” he added.

On September 4 to 6, the ASEAN Summit will be held in Vientaine, Laos but Duterte repeated that he would not raise the arbitration ruling at the summit.

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