China promised on Wednesday to ensure freedom of navigation in the tense West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton it was willing to work on a code of conduct to manage disputes. After weeks of escalating tensions in the strategic sea and a war of words between Washington and Beijing, the Pacific powers toned down the rhetoric and pledged cooperation as Clinton met with most of China's top leadership. "

China OK's adoption of sea code. (2012, September 6). The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.