Duterte treads the right track

Following reports that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is likely to visit China in late October, Beijing has welcomed the move. Duterte is known for his bold remarks. But since assuming office, he has pursued a normal diplomatic policy toward China and tried to correct his predecessor Benigno Aquino III's foreign policy of antagonizing China and seeking other countries' intervention in the South China Sea issue.

Duterte hopes to resolve the maritime disputes with China through bilateral talks and has refused to be part of the "joint patrols" with the United States in the sea. He has even talked of expelling US troops from the Philippines.

But if Duterte is trying to change any policy, he has the interests of the Philippines in mind. For the Philippines, China is a neighbor while the US is a non-regional country. Only stable political ties can help Beijing and Manila to build and advance their economic and trade ties.