Signal for improving relations

An aerial photo taken on Sept 25, 2015 from a seaplane of Hainan Maritime Safety Administration shows cruise vessel Haixun 1103 heading to the Yacheng 13-1 drilling rig during a patrol in the South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's goodwill gesture on the South China Sea issue has left space for improving ties with China, but fundamental improvements in bilateral ties still hinge on more efforts and concrete actions from the Philippines under Duterte's leadership.

Given his previous stance toward China, how Duterte will deal with China, especially on the South China Sea issue, has become a focus of international attention. Despite his inconsistent remarks, the positive signals he has transmitted mean that the new government may embrace a different policy toward China from his predecessor Benigno Aquino III.

The legally-savvy Duterte should know that the ruling to be made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the case unilaterally submitted by the Philippines is not a binding verdict. The ruling does not have any binding force to change China's stance and actions in the waters.

The congratulatory message extended by President Xi Jinping to Duterte on his election victory and China's willingness to bring bilateral ties back on the track of healthy development should have made the Philippine president-elect feel the sincerity of Beijing and its firm but goodwill attitude toward resolving the disputes.

However, the Asia-Pacific strategy of the United States and its close alliance with Manila are also expected to restrict the space for Duterte to pursue a foreign policy free of the US' influence in Asia, including its policy toward China.

But to better serve the Philippines' interests, the new Philippine government should hold a proper attitude toward the arbitration case, such as ignoring or suspending its procedures, and hold unconditional talks with China on the territorial disputes as this is only way to deepen and advance mutually beneficial cooperation.--People's Daily overseas edition