Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte concluded on Friday a four-day visit to China, during which he met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    In a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, the two countries agreed to strengthen bilateral relations based on "mutual respect, sincerity, equality and mutual benefit." The two sides also exchanged views on the South China Sea issue. "Both sides affirm that contentious issues are not the sum total of the Philippines-China bilateral relationship. 

    Both sides exchange views on the importance of handling the disputes in the South China Sea in an appropriate manner." "Both sides also reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea, addressing their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations" by the directly concerned sovereign states.

Source: QNA