Philippines: Beijing hopes Duterte's successor will stay the course on South China Sea dealings

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, presidential candidate for the 2022 Philippine elections, speaks during a campaign rally in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 13, 2022. - Reuters

MANILA, April 9 (The Straits times/ANN): China hopes the next Philippine president will stay the course when dealing with disputes in the South China Sea, amid fresh flare-ups around a disputed shoal west of the Philippines' main island.

The message emerged from a video call Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday (April 8).