Relations between China and the Philippines have shown signs of improvement since President Rodrigo Duterte visited China earlier this month. Following that visit, China's Foreign Ministry said ties had entered 'a stage of improvement'.

Tensions flared in 2012 over the Huangyan Island and worsened with the pursuit of an international tribunal case under the former president Benigno Aquino the Third. But since taking office, Duterte has pushed the issue to the background and tried to forge closer ties with China. He signed 13 deals on trade, tourism, investment and drug prohibition during his China visit.