MANILA, Philippines — The relationship between the Philippines and China is "better than ever," Malacañang said, a day after Manila's top diplomat claimed that the agreements signed by the two countries "hardly materialized." "The current Philippines and China relations is better than ever. President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed to set aside the ruling to improve the Philippines' relationship with China but clarified that the Philippines won't abandon its maritime claims. Due to their improved ties, the Philippines and China signed several agreements in the last three years, including a memorandum of understanding on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea. READ: Palace to Carpio: Duterte won't allow Chinese assault on Philippine sovereigntyChinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua reiterated that the South China Sea dispute does not define the relations between the Philippines and China.

Source: Philippine Star September 29, 2019 09:54 UTC