Duterte's inauguration can put ties on new track

Immediately prior to Rodrigo Duterte's inauguration as the new Philippine leader, The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration announced it would deliver a ruling on July 12 in the Philippines' case against China over their South China Sea dispute.

The big question for Beijing is whether or not the leadership change in Manila will bring in someone it can talk with.

Beijing has reiterated that the arbitration is illicit in nature, thus the upcoming verdict will not be accepted, or implemented. But it also expressed once again its willingness to engage in one-on-one negotiations with Manila for a peaceful solution.