The controversial issue of the South China Sea was raised during an informal bilateral meeting between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and New Zealand's foreign minister.

The Kiwi foreign minister Murray McCully on Tuesday met with Duterte in Auckland and reportedly discussed the issue of South China Sea. "We talked about everything. I don't want to talk publicly about what was a private discussion but we discussed the full range of issues," McCully said after the meeting.

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McCully also described Duterte as a 'tough guy' who does not beat around the bush. "He is a tough guy but he was warm, courteous and actually quite charming," McCully said. "He doesn't beat around the bush. He has got quite firm views and he expresses them, and very colorfully."

The Philippine leader spent one night in Auckland after he arrived in New Zealand on a short stopover. Duterte was on transit in New Zealand's largest city after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in a Latin American country.   

In July, the Hague-based International Court of Arbitration had ruled in favor of Philippines in its long standing territorial dispute with China over the ownership of South China Sea. Beijing had dismissed the ruling and questioned the authority of the tribunal 'illegal'.

New Zealand, on the other hand, urged China to respect the ruling on maritime rights. Beijing, however, slammed New Zealand over its stance on the issue and warned the Pacific Ocean country against the interference.  Chinese leadership continues to maintain that country's territorial dispute with Philippines and Vietnam should be resolved bilaterally. 

TagsSouth China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, Philippines, china, new zealand