Duterte announces 'separation' from US in China speech

Beijing

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from the United States on Thursday, declaring that it had "lost" and he had realigned with China as the two agreed to resolve their South China Sea dispute through talks.

Mr Duterte made his comments in China, where he is visiting with at least 200 business people to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance as relations with long-time ally the US deteriorate.

His trade secretary, Ramon Lopez, said US$13.5 billion in deals would be signed.

Mr Duterte's efforts to engage China, months after a tribunal …