The South China Sea issue will not affect economic cooperation and trade between China and the Philippines, Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Yan told a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

"China is willing to continue developing economic relationships with the Philippines," said Gao, who clarified that China was not boycotting Philippine products.

It was announced at the news conference that the 13th China-ASEAN expo and the 13th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will be held in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, from Sept 11 to 14.