No Agreement Between China And The Philippines On South China Sea Issues

Bloomberg: Xi, Duterte Fail to Reach Agreement on South China Sea Issues

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s much-touted meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping yielded no agreement on the South China Sea territorial dispute between the two nations or a plan to explore the area for oil and gas.

Instead, Xi and Duterte agreed to form committees to advance oil exploration talks, with the goal of lifting a Philippine moratorium on existing contracts, Manila’s envoy to Beijing Chito Sta. Romana told Bloomberg TV.

“The goal is to proceed with service contracts that the Philippines has already issued and get the ball rolling,” the ambassador said, adding there’s a “moderately good chance” for a definitive deal by November.

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Update #1: Xi Jinping tells Rodrigo Duterte to ‘put aside’ South China Sea dispute and focus on oil and gas deal (SCMP)
Update #2: Beijing refuses to 'budge' on South China Sea: Philippines (AFP)

WNU Editor: Chinese President Xi basically told Philippine President Duterte that they are not going to budge on their South China Sea claims.

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