China and the Philippines described their latest round of high-level maritime talks as “candid”, with both sides agreeing to continue conversations.
China’s foreign affairs vice-minister Chen Xiaodong and Maria Theresa Lazaro, the Philippine undersecretary for foreign affairs, met in Beijing on Tuesday for the 10th cycle of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM).
The BCM was established in May 2017 as a platform for the neighbouring states to discuss issues of mutual concern in the South China Sea and explore possible areas of cooperation. The most recent previous meeting was held in Manila in July.
According to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, both sides agreed to maintain communication through continued use of diplomatic channels, including the BCM.
Discussions covered the disputed atoll where the Philippine coastguard deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua four months ago, claiming that China was carrying out reclamation around the shoal, the statement said.
