A GROUP of retired ambassadors, military officials, businessmen and academics have begun “Track 2” diplomacy with Beijing, with their Chinese counterparts lauding the Duterte administration’s decision to set aside in the meantime an international arbitration ruling favoring the Philippines in the dispute over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

In a statement, the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations said it sent a mission to China for a series of dialogues with their contacts and counterparts on September 13 to 15.