China has urged the Philippines again to withdraw all of its vessels from the Huangyan Island area. Vice Foreign Minister, Fu Ying, met with Philippine diplomats on Tuesday, to lodge a representation concerning the tensions around the Island. The Foreign Ministry has said the consensus of both sides is that the current situation should be handled through bilateral consultation.

Spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry Liu Weimin said, "We hope the Philippines respects China's territorial sovereignty, and keeps the agreed-to plan to avoid doing anything to complicate or aggravate the situation, and to restore peace and stability in the region. China has maintained communications with the Philippines via diplomatic channels."