BEIJING - President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China expects the Philippines to return to previous bilateral consensus and handle relevant disputes in a constructive way.

Xi made the remarks during a short conversation with visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the sidelines of the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

China and the Philippines have maintained a good relationship since the two countries established diplomatic relations, Xi said, adding that the two sides have also reached some common understanding about how to tackle disputes, Xi said.

Severe difficulties have emerged in the bilateral relationship over recent years because of disputes in the South China Sea, he said.

China hopes that the Philippines can return to the previous consensus, meet China halfway and handle relevant disputes in a constructive way, thus paving the way for a healthy development of the relationship, he said.

Aquino told Xi that the Philippines is willing to solve relevant problems with China and wants to improve the bilateral ties.