Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that China will firmly safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
Both parties on Thursday approved a draft framework of the South China Sea Code of Conduct, marking a milestone in peacefully resolving the issue.
China and ASEAN made several breakthroughs on the South China Sea issue on Tuesday, including vowing to finish a framework by the middle of next year for a code of conduct for the sea.
Manila wants formal discussions with Beijing "at the appropriate time" to explore pathways to peace and cooperation, a statement says.
Beijing welcomes former Philippines president Fidel Ramos' visit to China and is looking forward to seeing the special envoy as soon as possible, foreign spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.
A special Philippine envoy who is in Hong Kong to test the waters of bilateral ties suggested on Tuesday that Manila and Beijing cooperate on sectors of common interest to rekindle their relationship, which was soured by maritime disputes.
China will open a laboratory in Hainan province in November that will focus on the use of marine resources in the South China Sea, a provincial official said.
China firmly opposes and is strongly dissatisfied with a Japanese defense white paper that is "full of lies", Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Tuesday.
China opened a large fishing port, the closest one to the Nansha Islands, on Monday to handle fishing vessels working in the South China Sea.
The PLA will 'unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests including territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests', says defense minister.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that the political manipulation behind the arbitral tribunal will be revealed.
China and ASEAN steered their joint statement on Monday away from an arbitration case initiated by the Philippines, reaffirming their support for South China Sea disputes being resolved by the parties directly involved.
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