China promises not to build in disputed shoal: Philippines

Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised his Philippine counterpart that China would not build structures on a rocky outcrop both countries claim in the South China Sea, a Philippine government minister said on Thursday.Strained ties between the two countries have improved sincePresident Rodrigo Duterte took power in the Philippines in June and began a shift away from traditional ally the United States towards closer relations with China.China has alarmed some of its neighbors and raised concer