BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay a working visit to the Philippines on Tuesday at the invitation of his Philippine counterpart Albert Del Rosario, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced on Monday.

"Wang will meet with Del Rosario and Philippine leaders on President Xi Jinping's planned presence at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Manila," Hong said at a regular news briefing.

As the rotating chair of APEC, the Philippines will host the APEC summit from Nov. 17 to 19. President Xi's attendance at the summit is drawing wide attention, amid severe difficulties in the bilateral relationship caused by disputes in the South China Sea over recent years.

"Both sides will exchange views on improving bilateral relations," Hong said, adding that China is reluctant to see the difficulties in China-Philippines relationship.

China is committed to resolving relevant issues with the Philippines through consultation and negotiation, Hong said.

He called on the Philippines to work with China and constructively deal with relevant issues to restore bilateral ties at an early date.

China has insisted on resolving the disputes through bilateral talks but the Philippines brought its arbitration case to the Hague-based international tribunal in early 2013.