The Philippines' ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz says both sides want stable ties, but closer economic relations must not be used as "leverage" in the South China Sea dispute. The Philippines is trying to gradually establish “stable foundations” for its relations with China before tackling tougher problems such as the long-running South China Sea dispute , according to the country’s ambassador to Beijing. “We need a new equilibrium in our relations with China. Both sides (have agreed) to