Manila, Beijing to open South China Sea talks next week

The Philippines and China will open bilateral talks on their dispute over the South China Sea next week, Manila's ambassador to Beijing said Saturday.


Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to deepen relations with China despite its extensive island-building in disputed parts of the South China Sea, in the hopes of securing billions of dollars' worth of investments from Beijing.

"We will inaugurate the bilateral consultative mechanism on issues of particular concern to each side. This is where the sensitive issues will be discussed," Ambassador Jose "Chito" Santa Romana said in Beijing in comments aired by ABS-CBN television.
  [dailystar.com.lb/AFP]
13/5/17
-
Related:

• Philippines sends troops, supplies to disputed island
• Duterte orders troops to occupy South China Sea reefs
• China Denies Reports of Building on Disputed Shoal
• Philippines might not let U.S. use its bases to patrol South China Sea

---

• China Says Has No Dispute with Philippines over Benham Rise