China hopes next president keeps PHL 'independent' | Malou Talosig-Bartolome

CHINA hopes the next Philippine president will continue President Duterte's "independent foreign policy," a senior ranking Chinese politician and retired diplomat said. Madame Fu Ying, chairperson of the influential foreign affairs committee of the Chinese parliament, said China, the Philippines and the region benefited from Duterte's pivot towards China when he assumed presidency in 2016. "[Duterte's] independent foreign policy has won him respect from countries in the region, including from China, and he is willing to face the difficult issues with China, and find proper solutions, and he was able to reach consensus with the Chinese leaders, and allowing the…