Philippines, China Agree On Solution To South China Sea Issue

China and the Philippines have agreed to set up a direct communications channel on the South China Sea.

The joint statement on Thursday said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Chinese President Xi Jinping had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in the South China Sea.

It said both also emphasized that maritime issues do not comprise the sum-total of relations between the two countries.

Both countries reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

The two also agreed to resume talks on oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea and discussed cooperation on solar, wind, electric vehicles and nuclear power.