BEIJING - China appreciates Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's friendly stance on the Chinese research vessels, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

Hua made the remarks in response to Duterte's comment that the Philippines and China had exchanges on Chinese research ships.

Duterte on Monday said that he had agreed to allow Chinese research ships into Philippine waters.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said the Philippine side was concerned about the Chinese ships spotted near Benham Rise.

"China welcomes and appreciates President Duterte's comments. Just as what President Duterte has said, China and the Philippines have conducted communication on the issue, friendly exchanged ideas, clarified facts and handled it properly. I’m willing to reiterate that China fully respects the Philippines' rights to the continental shelf of Benham Rise," Hua said.

"There is no such thing as to challenging its right. But, as a fundamental principle of the international law, one’s exclusive economic zone or continental shelf does not belong to its territory. While a coastal nation exercises its rights on a continental shelf, others' rights enjoyed under international law, including freedom of navigation, should not be harmed," said Hua.

• READ: PH says its rights over Benham Rise 'indisputable'