Filipino, Chinese diplomats tackle maritime issues, Chinese state media says

BEIJING - Filipino and Chinese diplomats held bilateral talks on maritime issues on Thursday in the Philippines, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Both sides had a "frank and in-depth exchange of views on maritime issues of common concern, and agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels," CCTV said.

Beijing and Manila have traded barbs in recent days over long-standing disputes in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety, including areas that fall within the EEZs of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

-Reporting by Beijing Newsroom/Reuters