HONG KONG - The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that China is looking forward to resuming dialogue and cooperation with the Philippines in the wake of an international tribunal's ruling in the latter's favor that invalidated Beijing's claims to almost the entire South China Sea.

"China and the Philippines are traditional friendly neighbors, the two countries should work hard to improve bilateral relations, resume dialogue and cooperation and promote a healthy and stable development of the China-Philippines relationship," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement.

When asked to comment on an "ice-breaking" tour to Hong Kong by former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, she said China "upholds an open attitude towards all forms of contacts between China and the Philippines, and we welcome Mr. Ramos, as special envoy, to visit China soon."

Ramos, 88, who last month accepted current President Rodrigo Duterte's offer for him to become a special envoy to China, told reporters in Hong Kong Tuesday that he was not here "to negotiate but to help pave the way, break the ice and rekindle the friendship that we had with China." He added that he intends to meet "some old friends who have links to high officials in Beijing."

He remained tightlipped on his itinerary, which lasts through Friday, claiming it depends on the "attitude of Chinese officials." But he has said he wishes to meet with Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

In a case brought by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12 rejected China's expansive claim as having no legal basis.

It also said China has violated the Philippines' sovereign rights in the latter's exclusive economic zone, in part by pursuing large-scale land reclamation and construction of artificial islands.

China rejects the ruling as invalid and demands that the Philippines not make it a precondition for bilateral talks.

== Kyodo