Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Manila today for a one-day state visit to the Philippines meant to push forward talks to tap into billions of dollars worth of oil and gas reserves beneath contested waters that both nations claim, as well as firm up deals to bolster President Rodrigo Duterte's ambitious infrastructure push.

The two leaders will likely sidestep political disputes involving the South China Sea. But expectations are high that terms for an agreement to explore its resource-rich waters may be finalised by the time Mr Xi heads back to Beijing.