Full coverage: South China Sea Is Indisputable Part of China

Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to cultivate friendly relations with China. He also confirmed that he's open to direct talks over the South China Sea issue.

Presumptive Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference in Davao Province, the Philippines, May 16, 2016. Presumptive Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed to restore death penalty in his country, according to his speech on Monday. (Xinhua/Stringer)

Duterte made the remarks on Monday in the southern Philippine city of Davao during his first press conference after his landslide win in the May 9th election. He also met with China's ambassador, Zhao Jianhua, who was among the first three foreign envoys he met after the briefing.  Ambassador Zhao says China expects to work with the Philippine government to properly deal with the differences and bring bilateral ties forward.