Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned the Philippines to address through dialogue what China sees as "serious difficulties" in their relations over the South China Sea, where incidents between vessels from the two sides have escalated, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

Beijing and Manila have traded sharp accusations in recent months over run-ins involving fishing boats, coastguard ships and other vessels in the South China Sea, a strategic trade corridor where the two countries have overlapping claims.

Wang told his Philippine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, in a phone call on Wednesday that if the Southeast Asian nation misjudges or colludes with "ill-intentioned" external forces in the disputed waters, China would defend its rights and respond resolutely, according to a statement by China's foreign ministry.

"China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads," the statement cited Wang as saying. "The top priority is to properly handle and control the current maritime situation."