MANILA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- New Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to take a pragmatic approach to the South China Sea disputes with China, analysts here have said, noting that Manila will benefit a lot from a friendly relationship with Beijing.
Duterte was sworn in as the country's 16th president on Thursday.
The government of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III filed an arbitration case against China in 2013, despite the agreement his country had reached with China on resolving their South China Sea disputes through bilateral negotiations.
China has refused to participate in the proceedings and declared that it will never recognize the verdict, stressing that the tribunal has no jurisdiction because the case is in essence related to territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation.
"Every incoming president, every incoming administration has advantage of a fresh start," diplomat Lauro Baja said Wednesday. "And by the pronouncements of Duterte, he seems to be more open to talking to China than his predecessor (President Benigno Aquino III)."
The South China Sea issue is "the most sensitive" foreign policy issue for Duterte and his administration, he said, adding, "What I believe is this: there must be some lines of communication between China and the Philippines which does not exist now."
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