BEIJING - China and the Philippines agreed Friday to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea during Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario's visit in China.

The two sides pledged to "make joint efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the region of the South China Sea in accordance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by China and ASEAN," a source said after Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his Philippine counterpart in Beijing.

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Del Rosario is making a three-day official visit to China on the invitation of Yang from Thursday to Saturday.

During their talks, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on maritime disputes.

"As developing countries in Asia, China and the Philippines have the common mission to improve the economy and better the people's lives," Yang said during the talks, adding that the two countries share extensive common interests in various areas.

"China attaches great importance to the development of its ties with the Philippines, and is willing to make joint efforts with the Philippine side to maintain high-level visits to each other and further pragmatic cooperation to advance the friendship between the two countries in a healthy and stable way," said the Chinese foreign minister.

Del Rosario echoed Yang's remarks, saying the Philippines was ready to work with China to improve the bilateral ties featuring mutual trust and reciprocity.