The US demands that Duterte explain his statement about severing diplomatic ties.

The U.S. State Department said today it will ask Philippine President Duterte to explain his statement about "severing" relations between the two countries.

President Duterte met with President Xi Jinping during his visit to China. Photo: Reuters.

"We are seeking a precise explanation of what the Philippine president meant when he spoke about cutting ties with the United States," John Kirby, a State Department spokesman, told Reuters today.

Kirby also said the U.S. viewed Duterte's comments as "inexplicable" and "contradictory to the very close relationship" between the two countries.

A senior U.S. official said that so far the Philippines has not made any formal request to change its cooperation with Washington.

The Philippine president announced yesterday in Beijing that he is "cutting" ties with long-time ally the United States, as part of a diplomatic rebalancing policy toward China.

"The United States doesn't control our lives. How can we become the most powerful industrialized nation when we owe money to China and don't pay it back?" Duterte said in Beijing.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping called relations with the Philippines "cross-maritime neighborly relations" and said there was "no reason for hostility or confrontation." The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Xi told Duterte that difficult topics for discussion "could be temporarily postponed." Duterte called yesterday's meeting with Xi "historic."

According to VNE