In his speech before a Beijing Economic Forum on Thursday, President Duterte proclaimed that the Philippines is separating for the United States, after a major diplomatic victory with China where both countries agree to resume talks to resolve the territorial dispute on the South China Sea.
The two Asian nations' reconciliation could widen the political gap between the United State and the Philippines, in addition to the instance where Duterte stated its opposition for US and thereafter ordered to end the joint manoeuvres of their militaries.
"It is not the time to go to war... this visit is the defining moment of my presidency," Duterte said.
"Duterte's remarks were inexplicably at odds with the very close relationship we have with the Filipino people as well as the government there on many different levels, not just from a security perspective," said John Kirby, U.S. State Department's Spokesman.
A Senior Chinese Diplomat announced, after the bilateral talks between Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, that the two countries had agreed to restore the full range of contact. The issue with regard to the South China Sea, on the other hand, has been tackled only shortly.
"Both sides agreed that the South China Sea issue is not the sum total of the bilateral relationship," Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said to the reporters.
Liu furthered that both sides agreed to return to the approach used five years ago of seeking a settlement through bilateral dialogue.
The Philippines and China have agreed to resume talks after series of dispute over the South China Sea.
Duterte, in his opening remarks in his talks with Xi hailed a warming of relations with China.
"China has been a friend of the Philippines and the roots of our bonds are very deep and not easily severed," Duterte said. "Even as we arrive in Beijing, close to winter, this is a springtime of our relationship."
Since 2012, Philippines and China have been locked in a fierce territorial dispute involving the South China Sea ever since China denied Philippine fishermen's access to the waters in the so-called West Philippine Sea.
Join the Conversation