by Xinhua Writer Yang Ke
MANILA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- A flotilla of three Chinese naval ships wrapped up its goodwill visit to the Philippines on Tuesday, leaving in its wake blooming friendship and aspirations to enhance relations between the two countries.
The three Chinese warships, guided-missile destroyer Changchun, guided-missile frigate Jinzhou and replenishment ship Chaohu, docked on Sunday in the southern Philippine city of Davao, hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, for a three-day visit.
The visit, the first by Chinese military ships to the Philippines in seven years, aims to expand communication, promote cooperation and improve the friendship between China and the Philippines.
Relations between China and the Philippines have experienced ups and downs in the past several years. But territorial disputes in the South China Sea were brought under control after President Duterte came to power last June.
Duterte has once said he prefers negotiation to confrontation over the South China Sea issue. "There is no sense in going to war. There is no sense fighting over a body of water," Duterte told Xinhua in an exclusive interview last year.
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