China moved to roll back economic sanctions on the Philippines and ramp up investment in the wake of this week's Beijing visit by Rodrigo Duterte, who this week promised to distance Manila from the US, reports London's Financial Times.

The two countries signed 13 agreements spanning a variety of economic sectors, while Philippine trade secretary Ramon Lopez said the two countries had signed US$13.5 billion in trade and investment deals.

China's foreign ministry further announced that restrictions on 27 Philippine fruit growers on exporting to China would be lifted, as would a travel warning to Chinese tourists to avoid trips to the Philippines.

China Eastern Airlines announced the launch of a direct air route from Guangzhou to the Philippine city of Laoag, starting next month.

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