The Philippines is quietly making arrangements through diplomatic channels for bilateral talks with China without any preconditions to discuss their competing claims in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, Foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay said. Beijing has said it can only talk with Manila outside the framework of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague that declared as invalid China's extensive claim in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. The ruling also reaffirmed the Philippines' right over several contested reefs, shoals, and islands.

Katigbak, J. (2016, September 18).Phl eyes talks with China sans preconditions. Philippine Star, pp. 1, 9.