China today said it was expecting an early visit by Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte to address differences over the disputed South China Sea. According to media reports, Duterte is planning separate visits to China and Japan next month, which will be his first trips outside Southeast Asia since assuming office on June 30.<br/><br/><br/>In response to a question if the China-Philippine disputes on South China Sea will affect the visit, Chinese Foreign<br/>Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media in Beijing as long as the two sides have the will to settle their disputes<br/>through consultation, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome.<br/><br/>Tension between China and the Philippines has risen in recent years over the South China Sea issue. An arbitral tribunal set up at Manila's request quashed China's claims of historical rights over almost all of the South China Sea.