BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- As the Philippines is set to have a new president, Sino-Philippine relations become a topic again. Sound ties between China and the Philippines will benefit all and boost peace and development in the region, including the Philippines itself.
Tension between China and the Philippines has risen in recent years over the South China Sea issue, especially since Manila unilaterally initiated an arbitration case against China over the issue at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in early 2013, with the verdict likely to be announced in May or June.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Friday that it is unrealistic to force China to concede or accept the verdict of the South China Sea arbitration case as a fait accompli.
"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," he told a press briefing in Beijing.
In the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte has won the 2016 presidential election, according to preliminary statistics.
Duterte's domestic policies and his handling of the South China Sea issue draw attention.
During his election campaigns, Duterte has clearly noted that he has a similar position with China and that he does not believe that the South China Sea issue could be solved through a verdict by the arbitration court.
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