NEW : Manila says diplomats `` are endeavoring to undertake a new diplomatic initiative '' The diplomatic chafing that preceded those statements centered on the Scarborough Shoal , some 130 miles ( 200 kilometers ) from the Philippine island of Luzon . China and the Philippines have been involved in a standoff since April 10 . The two countries claim they were not consulted about the deployment of Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal, which is also claimed by Vietnam. Both countries claim the shoal , known by China as Huangyan , in the South China Sea .
NEW : Manila says diplomats `` are endeavoring to undertake a new diplomatic initiative '' China and the Philippines have been involved in a standoff since April 10 . The two countries claim they were not consulted about the deployment of Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal, which is also claimed by Vietnam. Both countries claim the shoal , known by China as Huangyan , in the South China Sea .