News analysis

Duterte gets out of stormy sea issue, or does he?

Philippine leader stands his ground while keeping channels open in cordial talks with Xi

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With a penchant for the unconventional, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte turned up for a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing last Thursday in a grey suit and a white shirt with unbuttoned collar, but no tie.

President Xi Jinping called Mr Duterte "an old friend" as it was their eighth meeting since 2016.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on September 01, 2019, with the headline Duterte gets out of stormy sea issue, or does he?. Subscribe