China confirmed on Monday that Philippine fishermen are allowed access to Huangyan Island as "an appropriate arrangement" based on Beijing's friendship with Manila, after the Philippines said its people have been able to fish there in recent days.

"The China-Philippines relationship has improved comprehensively, marked by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to China," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news conference in Beijing.

She said the arrangement regarding the island was made after Duterte expressed concern over access and Beijing considered the affection between the two countries.