Philippines' flirt with Japan not helping regional peace

China on Wednesday called on the Philippines not to add to tensions in regional maritime disputes as it and Japan vowed to enhance security cooperation to cope with China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday agreed to work together more closely in security, with Aquino voicing support for Japan's move to lift its self-imposed ban on collective self-defense and reinterpretation of the country's pacifist constitution.

"China has noticed the remarks by the leader of the Philippines during his Japan visit," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily press briefing.

China has long been committed to solving territorial and maritime disputes with the countries concerned via bilateral negotiations on the basis of respecting historical facts and international laws, said Hua.

She urged the Philippines to show sincerity and work with China for a negotiated settlement of the disputes, instead of producing tension and further complicating the situation.

"We hope interactions between these countries can inject positive and constructive elements to regional peace and stability, not the opposite," the spokeswoman said.

On Japan's move to lift the ban on collective self-defense, Hua said that, for historical reasons, neighbors of Japan and the international community have good reason to closely watch the direction Japan chooses for its development.

She called on Japan to respect the reasonable and just concerns of its neighbors on security and adhere to the path of peace.