China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has admitted that the Philippines case against China at an arbitration tribunal over rival claims in the South China Sea has strained relations between Beijing and Manila and that it was up to the Philippines to heal the rift and improves ties. Malacañang has ruled out raising the territorial issue during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader's Summit to be held in Manila next week and putting China on the spot and would prefer to do it before the Hague-based tribunal. "The President said the Philippines will be good host, ensuring the comfort of all leaders and success of the next week's AELM (APEC Economic Leader's Meeting), "Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Kabiling, G. D., & Casayuran, M. B. (2015, November 12). China says it's up to PH to heal rift; sea dispute not in APEC agenda- Palace. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 16.