BEIJING - China on Monday highlighted remarks made by the Philippine president about de-escalating the situation over Huangyan Island, urging the country to "match its words with deeds."

"We hope the Philippine side would act as it speaks and take concrete measures to stop provoking incidents in the area, so as to resume peace and stability around Huangyan Island," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said in regards to Philippine President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III's remarks about de-escalating the situation.

Aquino said he had issued overriding instructions to his military telling them not to intensify the issue.

Liu stressed that there is no change in China's stance of using diplomatic channels to peacefully resolve the issue, which was triggered when a Philippine warship violently harassed Chinese fishermen and raised concerns over China's sovereignty of the island.

The Philippine side should also return to the proper pathway of diplomatic resolutions, he added.