China and the Philippines have agreed to avoid force to resolve their differences over the South China Sea, according to a joint statement issued on Thursday by China at the end of a visit to Manila by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. During his visit to Manila, Li and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the signing of 14 deals, including agreements and memoranda of understanding. Relations between China and the Philippines have entered a “golden period of fast development”, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in June, touting growth in trade and their efforts to settle disputes in the South China Sea.