Rodrigo Duterte, one of the frontrunners in the Philippines presidential elections, said on Sunday that he is willing to stage bilateral dialogue with China if the current multilateral talks fail to resolve the South China Sea issue.

"If negotiations will be in still waters in 1 or 2 years, I will talk to the Chinese," Duterte told his supporters in Manila.  

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Duterte said he may even invite Beijing to build key railway projects in the country if their bilateral dialogue fetches desirable results.

However, the 71-year-old presidential nominee reiterated that he would not leave any stone unturned in defending the Philippines' claim over the contested maritime territory. Duterte said that he would forge deeper ties with western powers to compel China to accept the Philippines' stand over the South China Sea.    

Duterte's friendly policy toward China would mark a stark departure from outgoing President Benigno Aquino's aggressive policy. Aquino government's 'anti-China policy' resulted in the Philippines lodging a case against China to settle the dispute over the South China Sea in an arbitration court in the Hague.

A judgment over the case is expected this week, but China has categorically said that it would not accept the judgment of the arbitration court.    

Duterte did not make any comments about the ongoing case in the Hague.

Duterte is a favorite among five presidential candidates to replace the outgoing President Benigno Aquino. He is leading most opinion and exit polls, with the latest polls showing that around 33 percent of the people in the Philippines support him.  

Duterte was the mayor of Davao City for over two decades and is one of the most popular leaders in the Philippines. He is credited with drastically improving the economy and security of Davao City.

Tagschina, Philippine, Rodrigo Duterte, South China Sea