Back home after attending the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he was open to exploring the South China Sea's natural resources with China and Vietnam, AFP has reported.
Duterte said his trip to Beijing had been productive for the Philippines, and hinted that more Chinese investments had been offered, but didn’t elaborate.
"If we can get something there with no hassle at all, why not," Duterte told reporters when asked about a proposal for jointly exploring the South China Sea with China and Vietnam.
All three countries have competing territorial claims in the sea. Ties were especially strained during Duterte’s predecessor's administration, but the new president has worked to repair relations since taking office in June.
Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the "all-round improvement" of relations between China and the Philippines during the forum, calling the Philippines an "important partner" in the Belt and Road infrastructure project.
This isn’t the first time the Philippines has tried to join forces with China and Vietnam in the South China Sea. In 2005, then Philippine President Gloria Arroyo made an agreement with China and Vietnam to study oil deposits across the region.
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