Manila: The Philippines and China discussed setting up a “two-track” system that would allow them to co-operate in some areas while separately handling “contentious issues” such as their South China Sea territorial dispute, a Manila envoy said. Alunan said both sides discussed “encouraging two-track or think-tank exchanges ... where we will be discussing contentious issues”. He did not say which “think-tanks” would be involved in these issues, apparently referring to the two countries’ territorial dispute over the South China Sea. When asked if they discussed a UN-backed tribunal’s ruling last month that Beijing’s claims over most of the South China Sea were invalid, Ramos said “we never mentioned that”. While the territorial dispute has strained ties, new Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has previously said he would seek Chinese help for vital infrastructure projects.

Source: The Star August 13, 2016 23:19 UTC