Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a meeting with the Filipino community in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has cancelled a planned visit to an island the Philippines claims in the disputed South China Sea, after Beijing warned him against the visit. I will correct myself because we value our friendship with China," he said, adding that he might just send his son to the island. China claims most of the South China Sea through which about US$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually. The Philippines will reinforce, but not militarise, areas in the South China Sea controlled by Manila to maintain the geopolitical balance, Duterte said on Monday.

Source: Bangkok Post April 13, 2017 02:03 UTC