China's Foreign Ministry has said that tensions over the South China Sea territorial dispute have eased and that the situation is back on the right track.

Spokesperson Lu Kang's remarks were in response to media reports about the Philippines' incoming ambassador to China, Jose Santiago Sta Romana. Reuters reported that Romana had said that China is allowing Philippine fisherman into the sea around Huangyan Island, abiding by the ruling by the arbitration tribunal in the Hague.

But in an interview with China's Global Times newspaper, Romana said the Reuters report twisted his words. 

"Mr. Romana has clarified the reports on his remarks. I hope the relevant parties will have a correct understanding of the Philippine government's stance. We hope that media organizations act professionally and report objectively, rather than twist the meaning of interviewees and mislead the public. China and the Philippines reached consensus during President Rodrigo Duterte' visit to China, and both sides agreed to put aside their differences and bring the South China Sea issue back to bilateral negotiation and consultation," Lu Kang said.