November 16, 2017

China and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to exercise self-restraint in the South China Sea on Thursday, after tensions eased in the region and bilateral ties improved. 

"Both sides agree to exercise self-restraint in the South China Sea and avoid actions that will complicate or expand the disputes, or affect the peace and stability of the region," the joint statement said. 

The two sides agree to continue discussions on confidence-building measures to increase mutual trust, the statement added. 

This is the second time the two sides have made such a commitment. The first was in a joint statement from the two countries when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited China in October 2016.   

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