No desire for armed faceoff in South China Sea – China

China has no desire to engage any claimant state in a military confrontation in the South China Sea but expressed concern over the United States' reported plan to hold naval exercises in the area next month.

The assurance was relayed by Chinese Ambassador to the

Philippines Zhao Jianhua during a meeting with President Duterte in Malacañang Monday in relation to the impending visit of China's President Xi Jinping to the country.

"China, of course, expressed concern over a naval military exercise that the United States will be conducting in the area at about the same time that the Chinese President will be in the Philippines,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during a Palace news conference.

Roque said President Duterte assured China that "we will not take part in that military exercise.”

Asked if the President will ask the US to defer the naval exercises in the region, Roque declined to give details. But the Palace official said they hope Xi's visit to Manila in November would be "seamless" and "fruitful."

"The general consensus was we don't want anything to mar the visit of President Xi so I think the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) will do all it can to make sure President Xi's visit will be fruitful and as productive as we want it to be," he said.

China also agrees that President Xi's visit to the Philippines would "further cement the already strong relations" between the two countries.

"We want a seamless visit of President Xi," he added.

The United States Pacific Fleet reportedly proposed to send planes and ships in the South China Sea in a major show of force to counter China’s increased military activity in the disputed area. Reports said the US ships and aircraft could be deployed this November to send a strong message to Beijing.

Biggest user The Philippines, however, obtained an assurance from China that it has no plan to use military force against any nation in the South China Sea, according to Roque.

“China reiterated that they do not desire any military confrontation as a result of the West Philippine Sea either with any of the claimant states or with any other powers because China is the biggest user of the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“Any military confrontation in the West Philippine Sea will have dire consequences as far as Chinese commerce is concerned,” he added.

Roque said Zhao also affirmed Chinese financial assistance in connection with "page-long list of projects" in the country.

The government earlier said it was hoping to forge a joint oil exploration agreement with China in the West Philippine Sea when XI visits Manila next month.

Roque said the government must set aside the territorial conflict with China and pursue the oil exploration deal to lessen the country's dependence on imported oil.