China has said it hopes to improve bilateral ties with the Philippines following the victory of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte in the country's recent elections.

China's foreign ministry said it will support the new government of the Philippines and will work with President-elect Duterte to solve the territorial spat in the South China Sea.

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Beijing called on Manila to exert more efforts to lower the increasing tension between the two sides over the South China Sea issue.

Bilateral relations

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a news briefing that China hopes the Philippines will meet Beijing halfway in tackling the South China Sea issue and take the necessary steps to improve bilateral relations.

"Beijing hopes the Philippines will meet China halfway, taking concrete measures to properly deal with the disputes so as to put the ties between the two countries back on the track of sound development," said Lu.

Lu noted that although the two nations continue to maintain their 'traditional friendship,' the bilateral relations between the two sides have been confronted with major obstacles in recent years brought about by moves of the Philippines in challenging China's claims to the disputed waters.

Sino-Philippine ties hit a snag after Manila filed a territorial case against Beijing before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague three years ago.

Verdict

The court is expected to hand down a verdict in the coming weeks, and it is widely expected to go against China. The Philippines challenged China's claims in the South China Sea, questioning its validity under international law.

While China backs bilateral negotiations with claimant countries to solve the South China Sea row, newly-elected President Duterte is pushing for multilateral talks with third party countries such as the United States, Japan, and Australia to address the conflict.

Beijing and Manila have been accusing one another of encroaching into each other's territories in the South China Sea. China is laying claim to a large portion of the disputed waters.

"Disputes should be properly settled by countries directly concerned through negotiation and consultation while respecting the historical facts and international law," Lu said.

Chinese political observers have said the new Philippine government under President-elect Duterte would be good news for Beijing considering its public disdain for outgoing Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who has challenged China's sovereignty over its islands in the disputed waters.

Beijing also criticized Aquino's moves to enhance military ties and strengthen security cooperation with the US, Manila's key ally.

TagsPhilippine President-Elect Rodrigo Duterte, Sino-Philippine ties, South China Sea, bilateral relations, Permanent Court of Arbitration, china