Wall Street Journal: Philippines’ Duterte Not Planning to Raise South China Sea Disputes in China Visit
Seeking to reset once-fractious ties with Beijing.
BEIJING—Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he wasn’t planning to pursue substantive talks on the South China Sea disputes during meetings with top Chinese leaders this week, as he seeks to reset Manila’s once-fractious ties with Beijing.
Speaking to reporters in Beijing a day before a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr. Duterte said he would focus on seeking Chinese economic aid during his state visit, setting aside their countries’ discord over overlapping territorial and maritime claims.
If the Chinese leadership wishes to discuss the disputes, “we can set the broad lines, but there will be no hard impositions. There will be no asking of concessions,” said Mr. Duterte, who arrived in Beijing late Tuesday to start a four-day visit.
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Update: Philippines' Duterte says South China Sea arbitration case to take 'back seat' (Reuters)
WNU Editor: This deference to China is raising eyebrows in the Philippines .... Duterte's Deference Delights China but Is Questioned at Home (New York Times). Adding more fuel to the fire .... Rodrigo Duterte says he’d consider holding joint military exercises with China, Russia (News.com.au). And adding even more fuel to the fire .... protests against the U.S. in the Philippines increase, but none against Chinese actions in the South China Sea .... Philippine Police Van Rams Anti-U.S. Protesters at Manila Embassy (NBC).
