File photo shows APEC leaders during a joint photo session on Nov 11, 2014 during the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. [Photo/Xinhua]

November 11, 2014

China and the Philippines have maintained a good relationship since the two countries established diplomatic relations. The two sides have also reached some common understanding about how to tackle disputes. Severe difficulties have emerged in the bilateral relationship over recent years because of disputes in the South China Sea. China hopes that the Philippines can return to the previous consensus, meet China halfway and handle relevant disputes in a constructive way, thus paving the way for a healthy development of the relationship. 

Remarks during a short conversation with visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the sidelines of the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing

File photo shows a Chinese marine patrol ship carries out a fire drill in the South China Sea on April 8, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

June 27, 2014

China should place national sovereignty and safety in the first place, implement overall national security outlook, carefully organize border management and marine rights protection activities, firmly safeguard territorial sovereignty and marine rights, and build up impregnable fortress to defend the land and sea borders.

Speech in meeting with representatives of the 5th National Land and Sea Border Defense Work Conference in Beijing

President Xi Jinping meets with visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on June 27, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

May 30, 2014

China cherishes peace and stability of the South China Sea and disapproves of complicating, expanding and internationalizing the disputes. We will not be provocative but will take necessary reactions to the provocative acts of some relevant countries.

Speech in meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing

President Xi Jinping meets with US President Barack Obama in the Hague, the Netherlands, on May 30, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

March 24, 2014

On the issues of the East and South China Sea, the US side ought to adopt an objective and fair attitude, distinguish right from wrong, and do more to push for an appropriate resolution and improve the situation.

Speech in meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the third Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague