China appreciates Duterte's remarks on South China Sea

Wang Wenbin. - Reuters

BEIJING (Xinhua): China appreciated the remarks of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the South China Sea issue and stood ready to properly resolve maritime disputes with the Philippines through friendly consultations, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here on Tuesday (July 28).

It was reported that President Duterte said on Monday in his annual State of the Nation Address that the Philippines would continue upholding an independent foreign policy, would not pick sides between China and the United States, would not agree to allow US troops back to military bases in the country, and would not confront China over the South China Sea.