China and the Philippines asserted their respective claims to a new flashpoint in the South China Sea at a meeting of diplomats on Wednesday, even as they sought ways to dial down tensions.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met in Beijing and had “candid” discussion of the issues, including on Sabina Shoal, according to their respective statements.

China, which claims nearly the entire waterway, urged the Philippines to immediately withdraw its vessels from Sabina Shoal, according to a statement from Beijing’s foreign ministry. Lazaro emphasized that the shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs said in its statement.

Both sides agreed to continue discussions and maintain communications through their bilateral consultation mechanism and other channels.

The latest round of talks underscores how Beijing and Manila are struggling to find a diplomatic solution to their evolving spat in the South China Sea as both sides defend their sovereign positions. The negotiations are also happening amid efforts by the US — a key Philippine ally — to stabilize security ties with China.

Wednesday’s meeting follows talks in Manila in early July and comes more than a week after their coast guard vessels collided near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands. The disputed atoll has emerged as a new hot spot, shortly after Manila and Beijing struck a deal to ease hostilities around the Philippines’ military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.

Manila has conveyed its displeasure to Beijing over the recent clash, which damaged a Philippine ship. The Philippine military also said earlier this month that it monitored 207 ships in the contested waters over the past week, the highest number this year, with a sizable flotilla spotted near Sabina Shoal.

During this week’s meeting, Manila and Beijing agreed to continue discussions on areas of cooperation, including hotline mechanisms, coast guard, and marine science and technology, according to the Philippine statement. –BLOOMBERG