Philippines, China pledge to maintain dialogue despite tensions

China and the Philippines pledged to ​maintain dialogue and communication despite strained ‌ties, as both countries offered their own account of a recent call between ​their foreign ministers.

The Philippine foreign ​ministry said on Wednesday that Foreign Minister ⁠Ma. Theresa Lazaro spoke with her ​Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at length on ​Tuesday, describing the phone call as “frank, pragmatic and constructive”.

Wang said relations between their countries ​face “malicious interference” and accused some politicians of “irrational and ​intolerable” conduct that crossed China’s red lines, ‌according ⁠to Chinese state news agency Xinhua on Tuesday.

The Philippines said it takes its responsibilities as this year’s ASEAN ​chair seriously, ​and ⁠both ministers assured each other that their leaders would be accorded the proper ​courtesies during the ASEAN summit ​in ⁠Manila and at APEC meetings in Shenzhen later this month.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is ⁠expected ​to attend ASEAN meetings ​in Manila, the Philippine foreign ministry said.