The Philippines and China should develop relationships aside from maritime conflicts, said a Filipino senator in China.

Philippines Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the remarks during an interview with Beijing Review at China-Southeast Asia High-level People-to-People Dialogue held from June 3 to 5 in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

"We should not limit ourselves merely to the debate or even the conflict we are seeing now in the overlapping claims ASEAN countries and China have over certain islands and sea lanes," said Marcos.

The senator noted although there might be an impasse when it comes to government-to-government relationships, especially about the maritime disputes, the relationship still continued to be strengthened and continued to develop through exchanges in other sectors, and there are many areas which have great potential.

"Of course there is always increasing trade between our countries, as well as cultural exchanges, educational exchanges, tourism. There are many sectors we should explore," said Marcos.

"We must take active measures to promote other areas of communication and exchange. In that way, we can redefine our relationship and perhaps begin to move away from merely talking about the conflicts and start developing relationships aside from that," said Marcos.

Marcos said it is very clear to all observers -- not only in Southeast Asia or Asia, but even in the global context -- that it is necessary for China to be part of any development that will be enjoyed by the Southeast Asian region.

He went on to say the region cannot plan and cannot continue to operate without involving China, and China will play a key role in the development of the region, not only in economic terms but also in political and cultural terms. The important role that China plays is recognized by all the neighboring countries of China.