China on Tuesday welcomed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's approach for active dialogue and cooperation in handling the South China Sea issue, according to a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.

The Philippine approach was reconfirmed as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Duterte reached consensus over how to handle the South China Sea issue, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press briefing in Beijing.

The Chinese president met with his Philippine counterpart on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

China appreciates Duterte's stance on the South China Sea issue which is to actively establish dialogue and cooperation, and joint-handedly maintain the South China Sea and the region's peace and stability, said Hua.

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She also said China and the Philippines will hold their first meeting over the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue in China's Guiyang on Friday.

"China would like to work with the Philippines to consolidate the consensus reached by their heads of state, and focus on the overall scenario of bilateral relations and peace and stability of South China Sea region, which I believe are the responsibilities and roles for China and the Philippines to take and play as the countries in the region," said Hua.

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