Philippine and Chinese ministers clash over South China Sea incident

The incident this week took place on Monday in the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines said Chinese Coast Guard personnel struck one of the Philippine navy staff on the head with a wooden baton, and China said the Philippine personnel were the first to attack and accused Philippine vessels of ramming a Chinese patrol boat.

In the meeting, Wang told Lazaro that China-Philippines relations stood at a crossroads, and that the Philippines needed to make a "correct and rational" choice regarding its future direction, according to a readout released by China's foreign ministry.

Wang also accused "certain forces" within the Philippine military and police of deliberate provocations, undermining dialogue and, "carrying out the orders of external forces".

Lazaro said that the two also, "discussed the importance of keeping communication lines open, managing tensions, and pursuing practical ways forward".

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Beijing Newsroom; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by David Stanway)