Beijing and Manila are on a goodwill drive as President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, and key figures from the incoming Manila administration expressed willingness to talk with China.

Duterte assumes office on June 30, and observers said practical action from Manila is required to put China-Philippine relations back on track.

Xi said the friendly, stable and healthy development of China-Philippine relations conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and their people.

It is the responsibility of both nations' leaders to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

"I hope the two sides can work together to put China-Philippine relations back on the track of healthy development," Xi said.

Ties between Beijing and Manila suffered after the latter claimed sovereignty over China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea in 2012.

The relationship hit further turbulence in early 2013 after Manila initiated an arbitration case against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague over their disputes in the South China Sea.

The court's decision is expected in the coming weeks.

While sitting Philippine President Benigno Aquino III adopted a confrontational policy toward China, the new leadership has shown willingness to hold talks.

Perfecto Yasay Jr., the incoming Philippine foreign secretary, said on Monday that tensions in the South China Sea can only be eased if the Philippines holds talks with China.

"This is necessary. I don't think there is any other way of resolving this except talking to each other," Yasay was quoted by the Manila Times as saying.

Jia Duqiang, Southeast Asian studies researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said there is a chance for ties to get back on track if Manila is willing to take practical action.

"But it will still take time to find out how to take the first concrete step to improve ties," he said.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/01/2016 page5)