October 19, 2016

"China plans to expand trade with the Philippines, in areas such as tropical fruit imports, during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to Beijing, which Foreign Minister Wang Yi said would be a success even before it started.

Chinese media and analysts have also urged Beijing to reciprocate Mr Duterte's goodwill. One suggestion is to consider the possibility of introducing a 'flexible fishing policy' to allow Filipinos to fish in waters of the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

Mr Duterte arrived in Beijing last night after a three-day state visit to Brunei. China is the first country outside of South-east Asia that the 71-year-old leader is visiting after coming to power in June. All eyes are on how Mr Duterte's visit will improve bilateral ties, further strained when an arbitral tribunal at The Hague ruled in favour of Manila in its dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea. China refused to accept the ruling and Mr Duterte, on his part, downplayed it."

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http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/duterte-visit-will-be-a-success-says-china