Philippines urges amicable approach to Beijing over South China Sea

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, left, stands beside his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe during his visit at the Department of National Defense in Quezon city, Philippines, Friday (Sept 11. The two discussed ways in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, revisited the 2004 Philippines-China Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation and also issues on the South China Sea. - AP

MANILA, Sept 12 (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has urged a peaceful way out of conflicts with China over the South China Sea and said international law must be followed, amid increased regional friction over military activities by Beijing and Washington.

Duterte made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Chinese defence minister, Wei Fenghe, whose tour of four Southeast Asian countries coincides with some rhetorical sparring between the United States and China over the disputed waterway.