Envoy seeks to break ice with Beijing

Former Philippine president's HK visit marks effort to mend damaged relations

A special Philippine envoy who is in Hong Kong to test the waters of bilateral ties suggested on Tuesday that Manila and Beijing cooperate on sectors of common interest to rekindle their relationship, which was soured by maritime disputes.

Experts said that although the proposal by the envoy, former Philippines president Fidel Ramos, to improve economic and tourism links might be considered by China, the Philippines' attitude toward the arbitration ruling on the South China Sea remains the key to restoring ties.