Beijing has welcomed Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to make his first official state visit to China next month.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Beijing hopes that Duterte could make his visit to China at an early date. He added both countries are in close communication over the issue.

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China also reiterated its call for dialogue to end the South China Sea dispute between two nations.

"It is only normal for any two countries to have differences on one thing or another. Huge differences or not, as long as China and the Philippines maintain the political willingness to resolve problems, there will be no insurmountable obstacles in the development of bilateral relations," Lu said during a regular press briefing in Beijing.

In July, an international arbitration tribunal ruled against China in favor of the Philippines in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea.

Duterte is planning his first state to China next month. He will also make a state visit to Japan in October. Duterte on Thursday said he is willing to enter into a dialogue with China to resolve the long-standing territorial disputes over the South China Sea.

"I am willing to talk. I am going to China," the Filipino leader said. "And if it is just the two of us there, I will present the problem to him ( Chinese President Xi Jinping)."

The newly-elected Philippines President, known for his anti-US tirade, also stated he would hold talks with China to grant Filipino fishermen rights to fish in the contested waters. 

TagsSouth China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, china, Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte