A boat moves on the sea near Zhaoshu Island of Qilianyu Islands in Sansha City, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2016. Since Sansha was officially established in 2012, people's lives on Zhaoshu Island have significantly improved by building the power station, seawater desalination plant and the road running around the island. [Photo/Xinhua]

In early June, China said it hoped the new government in the Philippines would return to the negotiating table.

After the Philippines' incoming Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay signalled that bilateral talks with China could help deescalate the dispute, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying noted that successive leaders from both sides have agreed in past meetings and documents to resolve the issue peacefully through direct talks.

"We hope the new government of the Philippines fulfills its pledges and resumes talks with China to properly handle disputes in a way that contributes to the sound and stable development of bilateral ties," said Hua.

The incoming president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has said he wants to promote friendly ties with China and that he is open to direct talks on the South China Sea dispute.