Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Chinese Embassy in Manila put aside the two countries’ tensed relations due to their competing claims in South China Sea and enjoyed some friendly games during a sportsfest on Sunday, June 29.

In a Facebook post on Monday, June 30, Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian shared about the experience, as well as some snaps of the event.

“Glad to attend the ASPAC Friendlies together with my colleagues commemorating the 50th anniversary of CN-PH relations,” he wrote, referring to the DFA-Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs.

The Philippines and China commemorated the 50th anniversary of its diplomatic ties on June 9.

The sports festival, which saw officials from both sides playing some games of badminton and bowling, was held at the Tagaytay Highlands Country Club and Sports Center.

“The bowling lanes and badminton courts were not just venues for friendly competition, but also arenas where joy was shared and friendship was deepened,” Huang said.

“Every act of sportsmanship and every shared victory have brought us closer. Let’s work together for a better future. Mabuhay!,” he added.

The envoy shared photos of him with some officials holding a bowling ball and a badminton racket.

The two countries have been in decades-old conflict over the resource-rich features of the South China Sea, with China claiming almost the entire of the region, including the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of its neighbors.

In 2016, the Philippines secured an arbitral tribunal victory that invalidated the basis of China’s sweeping claims, but Beijing continues to refuse to recognize the win.

As the two countries’ Coast Guards and private research and fishing vessels clash in the EEZ of the Philippines, President Marcos strengthened Manila’s defense and security ties with old and new allies, including the United States, Japan, and Australia.