China will reportedly consider giving Filipino fishermen conditional access to South China Sea after the countries' leaders meet in Beijing this week, two insiders with knowledge about the matter told Reuters.

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"Everybody can go, but there will be conditions," one of the Chinese sources said, referring to both Chinese and Filipino fishermen.

"The two countries would have to form working groups to iron out details," the source said when asked what these conditions are. The sources further refused to say what China would demand from the Philippines in exchange for the fishing concession.

"It will be a return to the Arroyo days," the second Chinese source said. It can be recalled that during the reign of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo between 2001 and 2010, fishermen from both countries were given access to fish in the Scarborough Shoal.

Should all of these are true, Reuters noted that the fishery cooperation would be one of the broad framework agreements the two nations would sign during Duterte's visit in China.

On the other hand, when prompted for a comment about the news, the Philippine foreign ministry said it had "no comment at this time."

Before leaving the country for China, Duterte said he would raise the Hague ruling and said he will not give up any sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiang, an international relations expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said China aims to jointly develop resources in the South China Sea with its neighbors.

However, when asked what China would want in exchange for any concession, Lu answered: "Disputes with any neighbor are not conducive for China. We need a better external environment."

Tagschina, Philippines, South China Sea, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea Dispute, south china sea news