China and the Philippines held a crucial meeting to try to ease escalating tensions after last month’s violent clash in the South China Se. Philippine foreign ministry said it had “frank and constructive” discussions with China’s vice foreign minister on July 2Manila and Beijing discussed their positions on the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines maintains a rusting warship to reinforce its sovereignty claims.The Chinese and Philippine delegations “affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions without prejudice to their respective positions,” said Manila.
