In a bid to turn the South China Sea into a “sea of cooperation and friendship,” Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed a joint exploration of the waterway between the China and the Philippines “at an appropriate time.” President Duterte, for his part, assured that the Philippines is ready to work with China to keep peace and stability in the South China Sea through bilateral communication, consultation, and boost cooperation.

Kabiling, G. D. (2018, April 12). From sea of conflict to sea of cooperation, friendship. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 6.