Philippine, Chinese diplomats meet in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, second left, meets with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, second right, in Beijing on Friday. AP/Xinhua

BEIJING—Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met with his Chinese counterpart on Friday amid tensions over disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told del Rosario that his visit would improve relations between the countries, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

It said the two were to discuss trade, investment, defense cooperation and regional affairs. It was unclear if they discussed the island dispute.

Calls to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing rang unanswered.

Del Rosario’s visit comes as tensions over the potentially oil-rich Spratly Islands have risen in recent months.

The Spratlys, a chain of barren, largely uninhabited islands, reefs and banks in the West Philippine Sea, are claimed in entirety by China, Taiwan and Vietnam and in part by the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. They are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas and straddle busy sea lanes.

Earlier this month, Philippine officials banned a Chinese diplomat from meetings for alleged rude behavior during a discussion of alleged Chinese intrusions in Manila-claimed territory.

Manila has accused Chinese vessels of intruding at least nine times into Philippine waters in recent months, but Beijing says it has sovereign rights over the entire West Philippine Sea.

The reported intrusions have set off anti-China protests in the Philippines.