China hopes for better relations with PH with new President

Let’s hope they sing a new tune with our new President.

On Tue, May 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang briefly discussed its “rocky relations with the Philippines.” The two countries have been feuding with over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

During a regular press briefing, Lu Kang said, “We hope that with the new government of the Philippines, we can meet each other half-way, take effective measures to properly handle differences and promote the healthy development of Sino-Philippine relations to get them back on track.”

The Kyodo News report noted: “China has been aggressively pursuing its claims in the South China Sea in recent years, including within what the Philippines claims as its exclusive economic zone, or EEZ. In 2013, after China wrested control of Philippine-claimed Scarborough Shoal, Manila filed a case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, questioning China’s occupation of areas in the South China Sea that the Philippines considers its territory. The court is expected to make a final decision in the next few months.”