Philippines' remarks on ships praised

Beijing, Manila have huge potential for cooperation if disputes 'set aside'

China welcomes Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's move to allow Chinese research ships to enter waters close to the Philippines where Chinese survey ships were spotted last year, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday ahead of a senior official's trip to Manila.

China fully respects the Philippines' continental shelf rights over Benham Rise, and such rights have never been challenged by China, spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news conference.