Beijing seeks better ties with Manila amid territorial row: Chinese envoy

MANILA (AP) - A senior official says China wants to improve relations with the Philippines following strain in relations over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying made the comments on Friday in a meeting with President Benigno Aquino.

A Philippine statement says Ms Fu carried a message from President Hu Jintao that China places great importance on its friendship with the Philippines and wants to move relations forward.

Trouble flared in April when vessels from the two countries became engaged in a stand-off over the rocky outcrop known as Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Both sides later agreed to withdraw their boats, defusing some of the tension. The shoal is known as Panatag to the Filipinos and Huangyan to the Chinese.