China tells Philippines to rein in critics of Beijing

China's top diplomat Wang Yi urged the Philippines to rein in politicians who he said had repeatedly smeared Beijing and crossed China's red lines, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

Wang made the comments in a phone call on Tuesday with Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro. The ministry statement said Wang told Lazaro that relations were facing malicious interference and said Manila should send a rational and unified message on its China policy.

Lazaro said on social media that the conversation was frank and constructive. She said both sides emphasised continued diplomatic dialogue and the proper management of differences based on mutual respect.

The call followed several recent diplomatic incidents between the two countries. Beijing last week accused Manila of putting up obstacles to its attendance at a regional meeting in the Philippines, a claim rejected by the Philippine defence chief.

Earlier in October, the Philippine foreign ministry summoned Beijing's ambassador after he said China would easily win a conflict between the countries. Some local senators called for his expulsion.

China and the Philippines have had years of confrontations over disputed areas of the South China Sea. Beijing claims most of the waterway despite an international ruling that its claim has no legal basis.