Chinese officials to hold talks in Manila

Deputy foreign ministers from China and the Philippines will meet in Manila on Friday in their first official high-level talks since the row over Huangyan Island began in April.

A Chinese delegation led by Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying is scheduled to hold talks with Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda F. Basilio on Friday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

Fu will also meet separately with Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, the ministry said. It called the talks a venue "to review existing cooperation and chart the future direction of Philippine-Chinese diplomatic relations".