Philippines, China pledge to maintain dialogue despite tensions

MANILA, Nov 4 (Reuters) - ‌China ​and ​the Philippines pledged to maintain dialogue and communication despite strained ‌ties, as both countries offered their own ⁠account of a recent call between their ‌foreign ministers.

• The Philippine ‌foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro spoke ​with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at length on Tuesday, describing ⁠the phone call as "frank, pragmatic and constructive".

• Wang said ​relations between their countries face "malicious interference" and accused some politicians of "irrational ​and intolerable" conduct that ‌crossed China's red lines, according to Chinese state news agency ⁠Xinhua on Tuesday.

• The Philippines said it takes its responsibilities as this year's ASEAN ⁠chair seriously, and both ministers assured each other ​that their leaders would be accorded the proper courtesies during the ASEAN summit in Manila ‌and at APEC meetings in Shenzhen later this month.

• Chinese ‌Premier Li Qiang is expected to ⁠attend ASEAN meetings ‌in Manila, ​the Philippine foreign ministry said.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by David ‌Stanway)

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