Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Andres Centino and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian held a meeting to discuss “peace and stability” in the region.

Huang, in a Facebook post, said he paid a courtesy visit to Centino at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The meeting took place between the ambassador and AFP chief on Wednesday, Feb. 15, after China deployed a military-grade laser at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) last week.

Huang said he had a “cordial and constructive” meeting with Centino.

“We discussed matters pertaining to mil(itary) to mil(itary) exchange and cooperation as well as sustaining peace and stability in the region,” the Chinese envoy said.

In his post, Huang also shared photos of their meeting in Camp Aguinaldo

The two officials’ meeting came after Huang was summoned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. following China’s laser attack on PCG’s BRP Malapascua near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The reported laser-pointing incident temporarily blinded the Filipino crew and disrupted their resupply mission.

China already denied that its coast guard ship pointed a laser at the PCG vessel, saying that it was meant to “ensure navigation safety.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, in Beijing, told the media the PCG’s report “does not reflect the truth.”

He maintained that the China Coast Guard ship only responded in accordance with Chinese law, and warned the PCG to leave the waters near Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.

Wang pointed out the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States “will not weaken our resolve and will to safeguard China’s legitimate and lawful rights and interests.”