President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday suggested in jest that China make the Philippines a province as he defended China’s construction of military structures on the contested Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef in the South China Sea. In a speech during the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, the President said the government is exerting more serious efforts to resolve the territorial issues in the South China Sea. In front of the Chinese businessmen, Duterte said China could just make the Philippines a province, like Fujian.

Barcelo, V., Tuyay, F., & Fabunan, S. S. D. (2018, February 20). Rody backs China buildup in WP Sea. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.