Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay said that China said that they will not build structures on the South China Sea disputed shoal.
China and the Philippines have established close ties but a recent trip of China's commerce minister was taken as a sign that China is not taking Yasay's comments well.
During the China visit of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, there was an agreement made about Chinese presence in the South China Sea.
"President Xi has promised President Duterte they will not reclaim and build structures on Scarborough Shoal," Yasay said.
Yasay told reporters that the dispute on the controversial waters will be handled through dialogue and pursue joint development. He added that if China did otherwise, this would be a "game changer" for both countries.
In China, a foreign ministry spokesperson said that the Philippines and China will continue to pursue their bilateral partnership amid the issues surrounding the South China Sea disputed shoal.
Geng said, "The two sides have already returned to the correct path of friendly bilateral consultations to appropriately handle the South China Sea issue. Cooperation between the two countries in all areas is flourishing."
He added, "This has been widely endorsed and well-received. This fully proves that relevant policies by President Duterte meet the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and contribute to regional peace and stability."
Responding to the comment of Yasay, the spokesperson said, "They do not accord with the current healthy and rapid development of China-Philippines relations."
President Duterte said that the comments from Yasay were "misunderstood by the Chinese government."
"And that as much as possible the bilateral relations between the two countries would be enhanced and improved and trade and commerce between the two countries greatly improved," the president added.
Duterte spoke from Davao del Norte during an inauguration of a drug rehabilitation facility.