By Ling Dequan, researcher with Center for World Affairs Studies, Xinhua News Agency

Rodrigo Duterte will swear in as the new Philippines President on June 30 as the Benigno Aquino III. administration will end.

People expect that Duterte could deliver on his campaign promises and cast away "Aquino burden" to restart negotiations over the South China Sea (SCS) dispute and to boost bilateral ties with China.

In Jan. 2013, the Aquino administration had unilaterally put forward the SCS dispute to the United Nations (UN) International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The action was instigated by an extraterritorial party state. The regional dispute has gotten more complicated, sparking big troubles for China-Philippines ties that had set bigger obstacles to China-ASEAN relations.

China has opposed arbitration from the beginning

The US Administration and think tanks had fanned the flames from the beginning to fish into troubled waters for its own benefit, making it a "masterstroke" of malicious scheming by former US Secretary of State, when she claimed it was "soft power with smart diplomacy."

Whatever the verdict of the international tribunal rules would be, China will still hold sovereignty over the islands and waters in the South China Sea.

Manila won't be a "winner," and Beijing won't be a "loser"

Those closely involved cannot see clearly, but outside onlookers can see the game getting played. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loog said he "didn't think the international tribunal can solve the dispute."

Other politicians from around the world have similar opinions. Lee's view reflects that of many ASEAN members and other countries.

In the 1980s, China's leader Deng Xiaoping met Philippines Vice President Laurel and President Aquino to resolve the SCS dispute by putting aside the disputes, while exploring and developing together.

Deng hoped the Philippines could play a more positive role to deal with the SCS dispute.

On March 14, 2005, China, the Philippines and Vietnam had signed an agreement in Manila to jointly conduct seismic surveys in the waters, which was a breakthrough to implement Deng's proposal.

Yet, the project was  halted by the Philippines later on. In recent years, people had witnessed the unexpected rise in tensions over the South China Sea.

The arbitration case had harmed the traditional friendship between China and the Philippines. Meanwhile, many Filipinos had opposed the Aquino administration's maneuver as well. Accordingly, newly-elected President Duterte has called for better China-Philippines ties.

China's President Xi Jinping had congratulated Duterte, saying China and the Philippines have enjoyed a long history of friendship in conformity with fundamental interests to deepen good-neighborly relations and win-win cooperation.

China's Foreign Ministry has also requested a healthy and stable China-Philippine relationship in line with the expectations of the people.

China values its ties with the Philippines and would harbor friendly talks with the new Philippine government.

Beijing hopes Manila would hold the same stance to work jointly with China for a better future. Healthy China-Philippine ties can conform with the fundamental interests of both nations and be conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

China remains in close contact with ASEAN countries to solve such controversies in order to achieve effective control over differences and to maintain strong regional economic development.

There's a saying in China, "a good neighbor is better than a brother far away." As long as we treat each other with honesty and respect differences, we will pass all bumps and solve all conflicts.

Many expect the new Philippines government to cast aside the "Aquino burden" and work with Beijing to handle differences and to make bilateral ties great again.

Ling Dequan, researcher with Center for World Affairs Studies, Xinhua News Agency

( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

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