Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte claims China threatened war over South China Sea if status quo not kept
At a press briefing on Thursday, Duterte recalled his first state visit to China in 2016, during which he discussed various issues with Xi, including the Philippines’ plan to “dig oil” in the West Philippine Sea – Manila’s term for the waters of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Duterte said his Chinese counterpart was adamantly opposed and warned him strongly against it.