The Philippines can “set aside” unresolved issues in the South China Sea and pursue investment projects with Chinese firms since the arbitral ruling has upheld Manila’s sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Malacañang said yesterday. While the Philippines is a party to the South China Sea row, President Duterte has refused to follow the United States’ lead in banning trade with Chinese companies that helped build artificial islands in disputed waters, citing the need to finish infrastructure projects. One of the companies blacklisted by the US is state-run China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC), which will handle the development of Sangley Airport in Cavite, a facility close to key Philippine naval and air bases. The P208-billion project seeks to ease airport congestion in Metro Manila.

Romero, A., Lee-Brago, P., & Mercurio, R. (2020, September 3). Palace: Phl can set aside unresolved SCS issues. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 2.