China, Philippines agree to "properly handle" South China Sea issue

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed Wednesday their countries will "continue to properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, in reference to a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.The two leaders, who met at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital, also expressed readiness to restart negotiations on oil and gas development in the sea, the ministry said.Under the administration of Marcos' predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, the two countries held three years of talks …READ FULL ARTICLE