Beijing, Manila hold candid talks

A maritime affairs meeting attended by a large number of senior Chinese and Philippine officials has agreed to efficiently manage emergencies at sea, a move that analysts said will help prevent bilateral differences regarding the South China Sea from spiraling out of control.

However, Manila's top priorities should be to avoid further provocation on matters of China's core interests, such as the Taiwan question, and to "walk the walk" regarding its verbal commitments, the analysts added.

Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong co-chaired the eighth meeting of the China-Philippine consultation mechanism on the South China Sea with Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro in Shanghai on Wednesday.