Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will visit Beijing next week to explore a way forward with China over the South China Sea (SCS) dispute amid his frayed ties with US President Barack Obama.
Confirming his visit, a jubilant China said today it looks to discuss the South China Sea (SCS) dispute with Duterte who stepped up engagement with China after a spat with Obama over his deadly campaign against drugs and extra judicial killings in the Philippines.
Announcing his visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang reiterated China’s “consistent position” on the SCS without explicitly asserting Beijing’s historic claims over 90 per cent of the area.