Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would send ex-leader Fidel Ramos to China for talks after an international tribunal ruled against Beijing’s claims to most of the disputed South China Sea.
Mr Duterte yesterday asked Mr Ramos to visit China to start the talks with Beijing after the UN-backed tribunal’s ruling on the strategically vital waters, though he did not specify a timeframe.
The President said war is not an option. His remarks came after a UN-backed international tribunal on Tuesday ruled against China’s claim to most of the South China Sea in what is widely seen as a diplomatic victory for the Philippines.
Ramos, who served as president from 1992 to 1998, is known to favour close ties with China.