Philippines: Duterte Might Discuss South China Sea during China Visit
President Rodrigo Duterte, who is expected to attend a two-day forum in China this week, could raise the issue of Beijing’s encroachment in Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea during a meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping, an official said Monday. This comes two weeks after Duterte warned China to stay away from areas controlled by Manila in the disputed sea region. He said he was prepared to send troops if necessary following an announcement by his government that Chinese ships had been spotted near Pag-asa island within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
