Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

The Philippines' new president Rodrigo Duterte said his country would never declare war on any country, and he hopes that the South China Sea dispute could achieve a soft landing if peace can be achieved through negotiation. In addition, his foreign minister said the Philippines will not, as claimed by other foreign governments, release any tough statement on the outcome of the arbitration on the South China Sea. In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says China hopes that the Philippines will go in the same direction with China to properly handle the relevant issues.

"The Philippines is China's close neighbor across the South China sea. The concerning disputes are ultimately between us. The arbitration unilaterally initiated by the government of Benigno Aquino the Third is illegal and invalid. It can only be properly managed and resolved through negotiations and by China and the Philippines, under the basis of fully respecting historical facts and international law. We hope the Philippines can meet China halfway and manage the disputes properly," said Hong Lei, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry.