Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong held a bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) meeting on the South China Sea with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro in Beijing on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. 

The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime issues, especially the issue of Xianbin Jiao, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the Chinese side reiterated its principled position and urged the Philippine side to immediately withdraw relevant vessels from Xianbin Jiao.

The two sides also agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels, such as the BCM, the statement said.