MANILA, Philippines — Beijing urged Manila to "stabilize" China-Philippines relations from further deterioration, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong on July 2 co-headed the 9th meeting in Manila of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro.

"The two sides had a candid and constructive exchange of views on the situation in the South China Sea, in particular, on handling the situation at Ren'ai Jiao (Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal)," the MoFA said.

Lazaro said there were no heated arguments during the BCM. "Behave kaming lahat (We were all behaved)," Lazaro said Tuesday evening at the sidelines of the 248th anniversary of the Independence of the United States.

During the BCM, China reiterated its sovereignty over Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands) including Ren'ai Jiao and the adjacent waters, and its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters.

"The Chinese side urged the Philippine side to stop maritime infringement and provocation at once, earnestly abiding by the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," the MoFA said.

The China side also urged the Philippines side to "return to the right track of properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation," it added.

Beijing also asked Manila to "jointly manage the situation at Ren'ai Jiao with the Chinese side, promote the easing and cooling down of the maritime situation, and stabilize China-Philippines relations from further deterioration."

The two sides "believe that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea serves the interests of both China and the Philippines, and is also the common goal of countries in the region," the MoFA said.

They agreed to continue to maintain dialogue and consultation through the BCM and other mechanisms to handle differences and disagreements.

They also had an exchange on improving the maritime communication mechanism, promoting the dialogue between the coast guard of the two countries and advancing cooperation in marine science and technology and environmental protection, among other fields.

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