Officials from the Philippines and China have agreed to promote dialogue amid increasing tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Philippine Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says in a statement that the two sides reaffirmed the South China Sea dispute does not reflect the entirety of their bilateral relations.

It says that both have agreed to improve maritime communication and to continue properly managing conflicts and differences through friendly consultations.

The two countries have had several confrontations recently in the contested waters, with both trading accusations of the other provoking conflict.

In December, Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannons and rammed into Philippine military resupply boats near Second Thomas Shoal.

Attention is now focused on whether Wednesday's agreement will reduce tensions between Beijing and Manila.