Basketball sign of rebound in relationship

Just four months since he last visited, Rodrigo Duterte is paying his fifth visit to China since he became Philippine president three years ago.

In addition to the high-profile arrangements for his visit - meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang - basketball also features prominently on his itinerary.

On Friday, he will attend the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup opening ceremony in Beijing with President Xi. Then he will watch a game in Guangdong province - possibly the one featuring the Philippines and Italy on Saturday evening in Foshan - accompanied by Vice-President Wang Qishan.