ISTANBUL

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday that differences over the disputed waters of the South China Sea should not define Manila's relationship with Beijing.

"Let us not allow these differences to define our relationship," Marcos told the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office.

The South China Sea dispute "is not the sum" of Beijing and Manila relations, said Marcos.

He emphasized the importance of both countries' continued expansion of trade, people-to-people interaction, and cultural exchange.

"It’s unfortunate we didn’t make much more progress on the difficulties that we have in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea," Marcos said.

Manila refers to parts of the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea.

"But I think, considering how difficult the situation was, that we have managed to keep things at least away from too much problem," he added.

Marcos underscored the importance of pursuing diplomacy, maintaining communication and avoiding escalation.

Marcos had inked several cooperation agreements with Beijing, including those concerned with China's Belt and Road Initiative, during his January 2023 state visit to China.

Manila and Beijing formally established their diplomatic ties in 1975.

Manila and China have overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea, causing tensions between the two sea-sharing neighbors.