President Rodrigo Duterte will maintain his close ties with Beijing despite tensions in the South China Sea as he courts the Asian power for economic largesse, a Fitch unit said Friday.

While the United States deems Beijing as a threat to the region, Washington sees an opportunity to strengthen ties with its Southeast Asian partners and allies.

A Chinese Coast Guard ship blocked Filipino vessels conducting a resupply mission to a Philippine Navy ship stationed in the West Philippine Sea.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly next week will be an excellent opportunity for the country to seek the help of the international community in compelling China to comply with the 2016 ruling of an arbitral court on the South China Sea issue, former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said.