The Philippines and China have agreed to set up a mechanism on how to “properly handle” maritime disputes and representatives from both countries will meet in May to craft a bilateral scheme, Malacañang said on Tuesday. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua and President Rodrigo Duterte discussed the issue during a meeting in Davao City on Monday. In his meeting with Duterte, Zhao reiterated China’s “determination” to cooperate with Asean to tackle the completion of the code of conduct, Abella said.

Valente, C. S. (2017, March 29). PH, China to craft sea row mechanism. The Manila Times. pp. A1, A2.