South China Sea should not block regional cooperation

A Chinese naval fleet completed a three-day visit to the Philippines on Monday. The first such visit in seven years provides the latest proof of the two countries' resolve to continuously expand bilateral interaction and deepen political mutual trust.

After paying a visit to the Chinese warship docked in his hometown of Davao City, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he is open to the idea of conducting joint military exercises with China. This trust-building gesture is just one of the many examples set by the Philippine leader in his efforts to improve ties with China.

Since taking office in July, Duterte has been seeking to dispel the bad blood in bilateral ties and to usher in a cordial atmosphere so both countries can put behind them their skirmishes over maritime disputes, which were exacerbated during the tenure of his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, and advance their cooperation in a wide range of fields.