Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie has met with his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers Meeting.

Liang said the Philippines is an important neighbor of China and his country has made great efforts to improve the relationship between the two. Liang pointed out that Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China's territory. He asked the Philippines to resist from escalating the issue.

Gazmin suggested that the two sides continue to open lines of communication and look for a peaceful solution. The meeting took place during Liang's official visit to Cambodia.

(CNTV.cn May 29, 2012)