As people of the Philippines cast their votes on Monday to elect the country's next president, several Chinese experts noted that the incoming Philippines government may follow a more moderate and restrained policy in regards to South China Sea Issue.

This would mark a complete change from hostile and confrontational policy adopted by outgoing President Benigno Aquino, who last year dragged China to an arbitration court in the Hague over the territorial dispute.    

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Xu Liping, a senior researcher of Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said, "The Philippine government will adjust its policy on the South China Sea issue no matter which candidate is elected, because the policy of the Aquino administration runs counter to the country's interests and threatens regional security."          

Jia Duqiang, another senior researcher at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, feels that the new Filipino President will be far less provocative than his predecessor.       

"If changes do happen, it is possible that the new president will exercise restraint," Duqiang said.   

Talks about a change in Manila's approach got some credence after leading Presidential-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Monday reaffirmed that he is open for discussions with China on the South China Sea issue.     

Duterte told his supporters last week that Philippines's economy will greatly benefit by fostering close ties with Beijing.       

A moderate change in the Philippines' policy on the South China Sea dispute does not mean that the United States will not influence the newly elected government's policies on the South China Sea. Washington will continue to meddle in the relationship between China and Philippines, Chinese experts have warned.  

Tagschina, South China Sea, Philippines, Philippines Presidential Election, Rodrigo Duterte, China and Philippines