Signal for improving relations

Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's goodwill gesture on the South China Sea issue has left space for improving ties with China, but fundamental improvements in bilateral ties still hinge on more efforts and concrete actions from the Philippines under Duterte's leadership.

Given his previous stance toward China, how Duterte will deal with China, especially on the South China Sea issue, has become a focus of international attention. Despite his inconsistent remarks, the positive signals he has transmitted mean that the new government may embrace a different policy toward China from his predecessor Benigno Aquino III.

The legally-savvy Duterte should know that the ruling to be made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the case unilaterally submitted by the Philippines is not a binding verdict. The ruling does not have any binding force to change China's stance and actions in the waters.