Duterte discusses South China Sea dispute with Australian PM Turnbull

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, after the Asean gala dinner. (Photo by NESTOR CORRALES / INQUIRER.net)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday night raised the issue of the South China Sea with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during their bilateral meeting.

The two leaders met after the gala dinner of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City.

Duterte said he was pleased to have the meeting with Turnbull to discuss issues of common interests.

“I assure you that the relations between the two countries are strong,” Duterte told Turnbull. “We continue to cooperate in our alliances.”

Duterte then raised the issue of the maritime dispute in the South China Sea with Turnbull amid growing concerns from Asean member states on the peace and stability in the disputed sea.

“We’re also concerned of what’s happening in the South China Sea and the continued buildup of military installations [in the disputed sea],” he said.

Turnball had earlier described Beijing’s South China Sea foreign policy as “counter-productive.”

He said China should ease off on island construction in the disputed sea.

Duterte has raised the issue on the South China Sea during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Vietnam.

Duterte said he relayed to Xi the concerns of of the Asean member states on the reclamation and militarization in the disputed sea.

He said Xi downplayed the reported militarisation in the South China Sea and assured the Philippines and other countries that it would help maintain the right of safe passage in the area. /atm