Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte affirmed on August 27 that any upcoming bilateral talks with China should be based on the arbitral tribunal's ruling on the East (South China) Sea dispute.
In his speech at the 10th anniversary of celebration of the East Mindanao Command in Davao city on August 27, the President said he stressed this point during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, who flew in to Davao to talk with him.
The Philippines will prepare for all possibilities if bilateral talks with China fail, he said, affirming added funds to increase the number of soldiers for the army.
Earlier on August 24, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing is ready to talk with Manila.
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