Beijing, Manila agree on managing Ren'ai Reef situation

China and the Philippines have reached a provisional arrangement on "humanitarian resupply of living necessities" to an illegally grounded Philippine vessel at China's Ren'ai Reef, a move signaling the willingness of both sides to cool down tensions in the South China Sea.

China recently held a series of consultations with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren'ai Reef and reached a provisional arrangement, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said in an online statement issued on Monday.

The two sides have agreed to jointly manage differences on maritime issues and work for de-escalation in the South China Sea, according to the statement.