Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos is in Hong Kong to "rekindle ties with China." (Photo : Getty Images)
After the territorial dispute in the South China Sea soured Sino-Philippine ties, former Philippine President Fidel Ramos have traveled to Hong Kong to rekindle the relationship between the two Asian countries.
According to a Reuters report, Ramos, who accepted the offer of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte to be the country's special envoy to China for this matter, departed on Monday for a five-day trip to Hong Kong.
The former leader and military man is also expected to meet with "old friends."
Earlier in July, a Hague arbitration court ruled that "China had no historic title" over the disputed territory in the South China, further stating that the Eastern giant has "breached the Philippines' sovereign rights with various actions there," the article wrote.
The decision has sent Beijing to fury, who had been adamant in not acknowledging the decision and dismissing the case.
China claims that it has territorial rights in almost all parts of the South China Sea, where over $5 trillion worth of trade moves annually.
According to Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for Duterte, Ramos's visit to Hong Kong "may pave the way for future diplomatic talks."
It was on July 12 when Ramos, now 88, accepted Duterte's offer for the special mission, which he refers to as "an icebreaker."
However, asked if he would delve on the topic about the ruling, Ramos previously said in a press conference in Philippine capital Manila that "it is not [him] who will raise that issue."
"My mission is to rekindle ties with China," he said.
Meanwhile, State-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the former leader's trip symbolizes "the first concrete step" for the two countries, adding that it "could open a new chapter in settling disputes."
Ramos served as the Philippine president from 1992 to 1998, the same period when China occupied the Mischief Reef.
