Philippines' Duterte calls for peaceful resolution of China boats impasse

Chinese vessels anchored at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea on March 27, 2021. - AFP

MANILA, April 6 (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is committed to peacefully resolving a diplomatic row with China over the disputed South China Sea, his spokesman said on Tuesday, in a measured response after days of strong rebukes by his ministers and generals.

The continued presence inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone of hundreds of Chinese vessels that it believes are manned by militias has frustrated Manila and drawn concern from ally the United States, among others.