China’s state-run media outlet believes that "sound ties" between Beijing and Manila could be beneficial to everyone amid the Asian archipelago’s upcoming change in administration.
A commentary from the Xinhua News Agency indicates that the Chinese-Filipino relations have come to light again as the Philippines is set to be under a new leader.
According to the article, "sound ties between China and the Philippines will benefit all and boost peace and development in the region."
Quite noticeably, the commentary highlighted the positive effects of such friendship to Manila as tensions have risen over the recent years due to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea that brought China at the hands of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Sino-Philippine Ties
According to the commentary, presidential candidates redirected the people's attention toward the South China Sea chaos instead of addressing local issues since the onset of the Philippine elections.
"Some Philippine politicians disregarded the Philippine people's actual woes and tried to push their own agenda by shifting the attention of the Philippine public from domestic chaos to the South China Sea, and they would 'only shoot themselves in the foot,'" it stated.
This put further strain on the issue which, Xinhua believes, has brought China and the Philippines farther away from each other.
However, it appears as though Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine frontrunner and the now-presumptive president of the archipelago, caught China's attention and commendation for focusing on the real problems of the Filipino people during his campaign such as corruption, crimes, drug abuse, and the country's economy.
"Duterte has vowed to crack down on corruption, crimes and drug abuses. He may also have looked at the country's economic situation, where development is a priority," the outlet explained.
Furthermore, the state-run media noted that China is an important trade partner for the Philippines as it "has unique experiences, funds, and technologies" that can help the archipelago overcome issues such as lack of infrastructure.
On International Arbitration
China remains indignant in refusing to be arbitrated by an international court when it comes to the South China Sea issue.
"No matter what the verdict will be in the arbitration case initiated by the Philippines, it will be unlawful and invalid. China will not accept nor recognize it," declared Hong Lei, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
As the beginning of Duterte's administration nears, China sees an opportunity to improve the relationship between the two nations.
"I have a similar position as China's. I don't believe in solving the conflict through an international tribunal," Duterte said during a press conference early in April.
Also, some analysts appear to be echoing Xinhua's opinion on the Sino-Philippine ties, per a separate report from Xinhua.
"If the new leader can normalize ancient friendship ties between the Philippines and China, it will benefit the Philippines and the whole of Asia in terms of more vibrant economic dynamism, peace and stability," said columnist and analyst Wilson Lee Flores, who also believes that having a new leader can provide the Philippines with this "golden opportunity."