Chinese President Xi Jinping is open to resolve territorial disputes in the West Philippines Sea via bilateral talks, Malacañang said on Monday. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said that Xi has opened the lines of negotiations after President Rodrigo Duterte raised the issue of “irritants” in the contested waters. “Ang binanggit ni Presidente, the “irritants” – refers to everything there. From the presence of the ships, from the alleged harassment, lahat ‘yun,” said Panelo. He noted that during a meeting with Xi, Duterte brought up West Philippine Sea’s territorial incursions emphasizing the Philippines still an “ally” of China.

Co, A. S. (2019, May 1). China open for bilateral talks to resolve WPS 'irritants'. Panay News, p. 7.