Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Philippine counterpart met in Manila on Wednesday to discuss reducing the risk of miscalculation in the South China Sea.
The bilateral talks, held on the margins of an ASEAN event, came days after a fresh clash at sea and widespread outrage over a video that mocked the 2016 arbitral ruling on the dispute.
Both sides emphasized the need to maintain stability in the region, with diplomats highlighting the importance of avoiding further escalation.
Both sides emphasized the need to maintain stability in the region, with diplomats highlighting the importance of avoiding further escalation.
The meeting represents a diplomatic effort to cool tensions that have flared in recent weeks, as maritime incidents continue to strain relations between the two nations.
The encounter follows a period of heightened friction, including China's formal legal warning to Japan and the Philippines regarding their planned maritime border negotiations.
Beijing has characterized such talks as "internationally wrongful," asserting its right to hold both nations accountable.