BEIJING: Beijing and Manila will resume talks on their South China Sea disputes, both sides said Friday, an apparent diplomatic victory for China after an international tribunal dismissed its claims to the waters. The announcement came during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China where he sought economic support from the Asian giant and announced his “separation” from longtime ally the US. China seized control of Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the same year. Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the Philippines at an unspecified time, it added. Beijing greeted Duterte with military honors and offered the Philippines $9 billion in soft loans for development projects.

Source: Manila Times October 21, 2016 09:45 UTC