Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has said he would send the country's former president, Fidel Ramos, to China for talks over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. 

Duterte reiterated that war was not an option and that he wanted to pursue bilateral talks with China to resolve maritime disputes. Ramos acknowledged Duterte's request but has yet to confirm whether he will make the trip to Beijing.

Ramos served as president from 1992 to 1998.