Chinese envoy calls on Duterte ahead of Hague ruling

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua on Thursday paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte five days before an international arbitral tribunal issues its ruling on the Philippines's complaint against China's expansive territorial claim in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the envoy congratulated Duterte for being the 16th Philippine president in behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It was not clear whether Duterte and Zhao discussed the West Philippine Sea row during the meeting.

"No further details regarding courtesy call," Abella said.

China claims virtually the entire West Philippine Sea, where more than $5-trillion worth of goods passes through every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the resource-rich area. 

In 2013, the Philippines filed a complaint against what it described as China's "excessive" and "exaggerated" territorial claim before an international arbitral tribunal. China, however, refused to recognize the case, saying it has "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed areas.

The tribunal is expected to issue a ruling on the complaint on July 12.

While then President Aquino insisted that the only way to address the maritime row is through a multilateral arbitral tribunal, Duterte has expressed readiness to hold bilateral negotiations with China.

"We remain optimistic that the judgment will be in our favor and if it's not then we will accept it as part of a country who honors international commitments," Duterte said in a speech during the Air Force's 69th anniversary last Tuesday.

"When if it's favorable to us, let's talk. We are not prepared to go to war. War is a dirty word now, but we will proceed accordingly after we shall have the copy of the arbitral judgment. We will always decide for the greater interest of our country," he added.

At a previous press conference, Duterte said he might talk to the Chinese government if current efforts to resolve the row remain stagnant in the first two years of his administration.

Last month, Duterte said his first big project would be a railway that would ease the Philippines's traffic woes. He said the project may be undertaken with China because the country does not have funds to bankroll it. 

Duterte assured the public that he would not abandon the Philippines's rights to the West Philippine Sea because of the project.