Manila has chance to reset bilateral relations

Under the leadership of outgoing President Benigno Aquino, the Philippines saw a freefall in relations with China, and the divergences with Beijing truly outgrew the bilateral framework.

The scenario could have been dramatically different had the Aquino administration accepted Beijing's offer to negotiate to keep the territorial disputes between the two countries from derailing overall relations.

Now, with Aquino outgoing as president and Rodrigo Duterte incoming, many entertain the hope that a reset button on relations can be pressed. Chinese President Xi Jinping included.