‘CHUMMY WITH CHINA’

That Duterte chose not to travel to South China Sea pleases China

China has expressed elation over President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to pursue his plan to visit Philippine-controlled islands in the South China Sea to raise the flag.

“We are glad that the Philippines choose to work with China to properly manage differences and advance cooperation, so as to deliver more benefit to our two peoples,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Affairs spokesperson Lu Kang said in a press briefing Thursday.

In a meeting with Filipino community in Riyadh Thursday, President Duterte announced that he would not celebrate Independence Day and raise Philippine flag on Pag-asa Islands on June 12 upon the request of China.

President Duterte said he valued the Philippines’ friendship with China, the world’s second largest economy.

Last week, China also asked the Philippines to properly handle South China Sea issue after President Duterte ordered the deployment of troops on unoccupied South China Sea islands.

The Philippine defense and military officials the famous Filipino leader only wanted to upgrade the existing facilities in the Philippine-controlled territories and not to occupy new islands.

“As you can see, the situa-

As you can see, the situation in the South China Sea has seen continuous progress. China-Philippines relations also enjoy fast and sound growth. LU KANG Chinese Foreign Ministry Affairs spokesperson

tion in the South China Sea has seen continued progress. China- Philippines relations also enjoy fast and sound growth,” Lu told the media.

Lu added that a good relationship between China and the Philippines “is conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity.”

Late last year, President Duterte made a decision to temporarily shelve the maritime dispute in favor of renewed ties with China.

The Filipino leader has actually visited Beijing upon invitation of President Xi Jinping in October last year, a trip that resulted to USD24 billion worth of funding and investment pledges.