Manila's impossible balancing act

In his inauguration speech on Thursday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte played down his country's South China Sea dispute with China and said he wanted to avoid a head-on conflict.

His words will help ease tensions with China, but the message should be stronger and more unambiguous.

For example, Duterte said the Philippines will hold talks with China only after the ruling made by the arbitration tribunal on July 12 is implemented. And the Philippines Foreign Ministry has said it hopes the international community will help Manila implement the ruling.