Philippines' Marcos meets China's Xi to find ways to reduce South China Sea tensions

File photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shaking hands before the start of their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 17, 2022. - Malacañang photo

MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, seeking ways to come up with ways to reduce tensions in the South China Sea and restore Filipino fishermen's access to fishing grounds.

The Philippines and China need to continue to communicate, with the meeting a key part of the process to maintain peace, and keep open sea lanes and airways over the South China Sea, Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco.