China and the Philippines have pledged to maintain dialogue and communication in spite of strained relations, following differing accounts by both countries of a recent telephone conversation between their foreign ministers.
The Philippine Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro spoke with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Tuesday, describing the conversation as “frank, pragmatic and constructive”.
Wang said relations between the two countries faced “malicious interference” and accused some politicians of “irrational and intolerable” conduct that crossed China’s red lines, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
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The Philippines said it took its responsibilities as this year’s ASEAN chair seriously, while both ministers assured each other that their leaders would receive appropriate courtesies during upcoming regional meetings.
These include the ASEAN summit in Manila and APEC meetings in Shenzhen later this month, according to the Philippine Foreign Ministry.
The ministry also stated that Chinese Premier Li Qiang was expected to attend the ASEAN meetings in Manila.
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