Despite the militarization by China of contested islands in the South China Sea, the Philippines, and China yesterday agreed to "exercise self-restraint" in their actions and to conduct more confidence-building measure. In a joint press statement after the 2nd Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea, delegates of the two countries said they had a positive, fruitful, and productive meeting. "Both sides agreed to continue the discussion on confidence and to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the South China Sea that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability," said the joint statement released on early Tuesday evening.

Naval, G. (2018, February 14). PH, China agree to build trust on sea dispute. Malaya Business Insight, pp. B1, B6.