President Duterte confirms he will go to China to raise S. China Sea dispute

(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed on Tuesday, Aug. 6, that he would go to China to raise the South China Sea dispute.

The President made the confirmation before the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. in Malacañang.

“Yung arbitral ruling pag-usapan natin ‘yan. That’s why I’m going to China. I’m not going to tell you the agenda. I’m going to China to talk,” Duterte said.

He said  would also watch the FIBA World Cup, where the Philippines is a participant.

He said he would also inaugurate a school in Fujian province that was built in honor of his mother, a teacher.

Hours before, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President would raise the arbitral tribunal that invalidated China’s nine-dash line delineating its expansive claims in the South China Sea in his trip to China this end of August.

Prior to this, Duterte would say in public speeches its was not the right time to raise the arbitral ruling as of yet.

Panelo said Duterte would also raise in his trip the 60-40 proposed joint exploration of resources in the South China Sea.