2016年CRI China's voices after Duterte's speech

Tuesday's comments were the first since Rodrigo Duterte became Philippines president, confirming he was open to talks with China.

During the speech before his country's Air Force, he said he wanted friendly relations with China and that he was against any armed conflict.

Li Kaisheng with Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences suggests the speech shows a significant difference in attitude over the issue between the new and former Philippine governments.

"President Duterte holds a totally different attitude over the arbitration 1 from his predecessor 2. Benigno S. Aquino III wanted to use the case to heighten the stakes of the situation in the region, while Duterte expects talks with Beijing, though it will only take place after the ruling and will be based on the verdict."

The researcher says it's unlikely that the Philippine side will withdraw the case, but it should do more than China when it comes to the improvement of bilateral 3 ties.

"Given the public opinion and political factors in the Philippines as well as the arbitration proceedings 4 and the role of the United States in the issue, it's impossible for Duterte to withdraw the case. It's better for him to take some steps to alleviate 5 the aftermath of the arbitration."

With less than a week before the ruling, a Chinese military exercise is underway in the waters of the South China Sea, drawing massive attention.

Chinese authorities have said the routine drill doesn't target anyone, while rear admiral Yin Zhuo suggests it displays Chinese military capability 6 in defending the country's maritime 7 interests.

"Any military drill by any country in the South China Sea has political purposes. Our purpose is to show the Chinese navy's determination and capability in protecting our country's maritime territory and interests. Any attempt to change China's stance by force or threat will end in vain. It's also impossible for the United State to make China accept the so-called ruling by deploying 8 aircraft carriers!"

At the same time, experts at a dialogue in Washington between Chinese and American think tanks are suggesting efforts should be made to cool down the issue and the two sides should well manage their differences to avoid damages to their relations.

Wang Fan with China Foreign Affairs University warns the Sino-US relations will go backwards 9 if the US side decided 10 to take sides in the dispute.

"We hope the US neither adds fuel to the flame nor takes side in the dispute, which will further complicate 11 the issue. There are many other issues the two sides need to address. South China Sea should not take a major part in the Sino-US relations. The issue has nothing to do with the US' national interests. If it takes side, China's sovereignty will be impaired 12, the bilateral ties will regress significantly."

For CRI, it's Liu Mohan.