Duterte is maximizing interests, analysts say

Philippine president is urged to respect consensus he reached in talks with Beijing

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought to assure Japan on Wednesday by saying that his visit to China last week was about economics only and that the South China Sea disputes should be resolved peacefully.

"You know I went to China for a visit. And I would like to assure you that all there was, was economics. We did not talk about arms. We avoided talking about alliances," he was quoted by Reuters as saying while meeting with Japanese business leaders.