RP, China ties remain stable

RP, China ties remain stable

MANILA (AFP): Relations between the Philippines and China remain calm, despite a dispute over a group of islands in the South China Sea, foreign affairs spokesman Oscar Valenzuela said on Thursday.

The Foreign Affairs office was working closely with its Chinese counterparts to firm up details of President Joseph Estrada's talks with Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, when they meet in next week's summit of Asian and Pacific leaders in Malaysia, Valenzuela said.

"Despite what the international media and the local media are saying, what is important is what is taking place between our two governments and that until now our exchanges have been calm," Valenzuela told radio station DZBB.

Armed forces chief of staff Maj. Gen. Joselin Nazareno said on Wednesday he had ordered navy ships patrolling the area to fire warning shots to deter Chinese ships from venturing too close.