China: Friendship with PH now back to normal

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing, China, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. Duterte was meeting Thursday with Xi in Beijing as part of a charm offensive aimed at seeking trade and support from the Asian giant by setting aside a thorny territorial dispute. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool)

BEIJING–China declared on Thursday the full restoration of friendship with the Philippines, spiced up by a fresh agreement to address maritime disputes through bilateral discussions.

“A new stage is now open between the two countries to address the South China Sea issue through bilateral discussions and it means full recovery of the traditional friendship between China and the Philippines,” China vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said in a briefing after the bilateral talks between President Rodrigo Duterte and China President Xi Jinping on Thursday morning.

He said that the two leaders met under a “friendly atmosphere” and covered wide range of issues.

READ: China rolls out red carpet for Duterte

The Chinese official said President Duterte’s visit was “highly successful” and “signifies full return of China and Philippine friendship back to normal level.”

He added that this marked a “new stage of practical cooperation, bilateral commerce, trade and technology.”

China welcomed the Philippines’ participation in its “Maritime Silk Road Policy” while committing to take active part in Philippine infrastructure, agriculture and finance./rga

READ: Duterte in China: PH gained little from US alliance

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