China, Philippines hold 'candid' talks on disputed shoal

Beijing: China on Wednesday said it held candid high level talks with the Philippines on South China Sea issues, in particular over a disputed reef...

Beijing: China on Wednesday said it held "candid" high-level talks with the Philippines on South China Sea issues, in particular over a disputed reef that has been the scene of recent bilateral clashes.

Chinese vice foreign minister Chen Xiaodong met with his Philippine counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro in Beijing, China's foreign ministry wrote in a statement.

"The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime issues between China and the Philippines, especially the issue of Xianbin Reef", the ministry said, using the Chinese name for the Sabina Shoal.

In recent weeks, Philippine and Chinese vessels have clashed multiple times in the waters around the flashpoint shoal, where the Philippine Coast Guard has anchored a ship to prevent China seizing the ring of reefs.

China reiterated on Wednesday its demand for the "immediate withdrawal" of the Philippine vessel and said it would "firmly uphold its sovereignty".