MANILA (Reuters): The Philippine foreign ministry has said hat it is maintaining open communication with China even as it strengthens cooperation with "like-minded" countries that support its stance in the South China Sea.
"Even as the DFA (foreign ministry) deepens alliances and partnerships with like-minded countries, it also maintains open lines of communication with the Chinese side in pursuit of candid, constructive dialogue and practical cooperation," foreign ministry spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva said in a briefing.
* The Philippines recently held separate bilateral talks with the United States and Canada on maritime issues.
* Philippines and the United States have recently committed to ramp up the deployment of "U.S. cutting-edge missile and unmanned systems" in the Southeast Asian nation.
* The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
* The Philippine foreign ministry says it will uphold "effective and principled diplomacy" in advancing the country's interests amid recent ill-tempered exchanges between government officials and the Chinese embassy in Manila.
* The Philippines and China have been locked in a series of maritime confrontations in recent years over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by David Stanway) -- Reuters
