China and the Philippines decide to communicate better over maritime disputes.

In an effort to preserve "maritime peace and stability," China and the Philippines have decided to boost contact and conversation. This comes despite a recent rise in incidents and tensions brought on by the conflict over territory in the West Philippine Sea.

The eighth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea Issue was held in Shanghai on Wednesday. According to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry late on Wednesday, there was a “candid and in-depth exchange of views” between the two countries' assistant foreign ministers, Nong Rong of China and Theresa Lazaro of the Philippines.

"China and the Philippines, as well as other regional countries, share the common interest of achieving peace and stability in the South China Sea," the statement read.

The two officials also decided to handle marine emergencies, particularly the situation on Ren'ai Reef, and to "further improve the sea-related communication mechanism, continue to properly manage sea-related conflicts and differences through friendly consultations."

Part of the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea, the Ren'ai or Ayungin Reef is home to a small Filipino military outpost and has been the focus of recent conflicts and events, including minor collisions between Chinese and Filipino ships that both sides blame on the other.

The coast guard of the Philippines has also charged China in recent months with stepping up its hostility by forcing it out of disputed areas using water cannon and military lasers.

China asserts sovereignty over certain areas and portions of exclusive economic zones belonging to nations including the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia, as well as nearly the whole South China Sea, which is home to abundant resources and is vital to international trade.

Since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, tensions between China and the Philippines have grown as a result of his fortification of his military alliance with the US and the expansion of US troop access to his bases, some of which have strategic access to the South China Sea and Taiwan's self-governing island.

The ministerial meeting was held in response to China's Tuesday summons of the Philippine ambassador, which came with a warning to Manila “not to play with fire” after Marcos Jr. congratulated William Lai, the newly elected president of Taiwan and a critic of Beijing, on his victory in Saturday's election.

According to the foreign ministry of the Southeast Asian archipelago, the Philippines reaffirmed its adherence to the "one China" policy, which involves acknowledging Beijing as the only legal government of the two.