EDITORIAL - Friendly neighbors

China’s President Xi Jinping arrived in Manila yesterday with a message of cooperation and friendship. The two countries in fact have a lot to build on in terms of friendly relations. Millions of Filipinos, including President Duterte and several of his predecessors, trace part of their ancestral roots to China.

Centuries before this archipelago was named after a Spanish king and constituted into a state, the islands were already trading with the Chinese. The interaction is reflected in many aspects of Philippine culture, from the language to cuisine and certain spiritual beliefs.

The two countries already have strong ties, which are getting a dramatic boost with the visit of President Xi. All countries, including the United States despite its bickering with Beijing over trade practices, are pursuing strong economic and other forms of engagement with China. The world’s second largest economy is among the largest consumers, keeping industries alive in many parts of the globe. So stronger bilateral ties will be in the interest of the Philippines.

Like all friendships, there can be disagreements. These can be resolved peacefully, to the benefit of both sides. The thorn in the relationship is the dispute over the South China Sea, where Beijing has built artificial islands that are seen to threaten freedom of navigation in international waters. The Chinese maritime claim includes reefs over which the Philippines has been awarded sovereign rights by a United Nations-supported arbitral court based in The Hague. The court has also invalidated China’s entire territorial claim over the South China Sea.

Enforcement of the ruling is another story. Xi’s visit is expected to give a hint of where efforts to resolve the dispute may be headed. With his message of friendship, the resolution should be peaceful. Upon his arrival yesterday, the Chinese leader committed good neighborliness as he stressed that friendship is “the only right choice” for his country and the Philippines. Friendship grows and is best nurtured when prickly issues are resolved.