China and Philippines tackle Spratly dispute

China and the Philippines have promised to use peaceful consultations and negotiations in dealing with conflicting claims to the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

In a joint statement issued after a visit to Manila by Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian, he and his Philippine counterpart, Angelo Reyes, announced that China has agreed to a mechanism proposed by the Philippines for resolving the territorial dispute over the islands.

The Spratly Islands lie on an important shipping route and have rich fishing, oil, and gas reserves.

Other countries have laid claim to them, including Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

During his visit, Mr Chi also met Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.

But the bilateral talks reportedly did not address another controversy between the two countries, the fate of more than 100 Chinese fishermen who were detained by Manila seven months ago.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service {NET HEADLINE: China, Philippines will resolve Spratly dispute}