Duterte sets aside sea row with China for now: I’d rather talk about business

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he did not raise the United Nations (UN) ruling on the South China Sea invalidating Beijing’s claim in almost all of the disputed sea during his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“It is not the appropriate time to do it,” Duterte said during a press briefing upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport from Hong Kong.

The President said he was more interested in the offer of China for a joint exploration of resources in the disputed waterway.

“They are now offering joint exploration,” he said.

During their bilateral meeting on Tuesday, Duterte and Xi agreed to craft a framework on the possible joint exploration in the disputed South China Sea.

“I’d rather talk about business,” he said, adding that he does not want to destroy the trust China has given him.

“Bakit sisirain ko? Bakit ko sisirain yan. Why? Because of the urging of the so-called Philippine allies?” the President stressed.

The United States and other claimants in the South China Sea have pressed the Philippines to invoke the UN ruling favoring Manila’s diplomatic protest against Beijing.

Since assuming office in 2016, Duterte has chosen to seek dialogue with China rather than to press Beijing over the UN ruling.

He reiterated that he does not want to go to war with China.

“Do you want a massacre?” he asked.