In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, left, and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong shake hands during the Philippines and China 9th Meeting of their Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday July 2, 2024. China and the Philippines held a crucial meeting Tuesday to try to ease escalating tensions following their worst confrontation in the disputed South China Sea that caused injuries to Filipino navy personnel, damaged two military boats and sparked fears of a wider conflict that could involve Manila's treaty ally the United States. (Department of Foreign Affairs via AP)