China on Tuesday urged the Philippines to act in a manner that contributes to regional stability, in response to the Philippine president saying he may ask the United States to deploy spy planes over the South China Sea.

"We hope the relevant party will do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told a daily news conference.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino told Reuters on Monday that the country may ask the US to deploy spy planes over the South China Sea to help monitor the disputed waters.