CHINA has signaled that it is open to continuing talks with the Philippines on joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, a move that could revive stagnant energy cooperation between the two countries amid growing concerns about global supply risks.
Beijing believes that setting aside disputes and pursuing joint development can help maintain peace and stability in the disputed waters, Chinese Embassy officials in Manila said on Wednesday.
“Putting aside differences and pursuing joint development is the right way to promote peace and stability in the South China Sea and bring benefits to countries in the region and their people,” said Wei Guo, the embassy’s deputy spokesperson, in a statement.
Mr. Wei said China and the Philippines have made “good progress” in intensive discussions on joint oil and gas development in disputed waters, adding that Beijing remains open to continuing the discussion “as long as the Philippines shows sincerity.”
These words came after Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. earlier this week he said his government is looking to renew talks on joint energy exploration with China, citing high risks to global oil supplies due to conflicts in the Middle East, including the war between Israel and Iran, as a possible impetus for renewed talks.
He said he is determined to resume negotiations with China regarding a joint oil exploration program with China at Reed Bank.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro later confirmed that exploratory talks may be “imminent,” though she said talks have not officially resumed.
The idea of joint oil and gas development in the South China Sea resurfaced in 2023 following a meeting between Mr Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping, after years of tension over maritime claims and security incidents in the area.
Previous negotiations collapsed after the Philippine Supreme Court struck down a joint earthquake survey agreement involving China and Vietnam, citing constitutional and legal concerns, particularly provisions that appeared to undermine the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its special economic zone.
Any renewed comments may be subject to the same scrutiny. The Philippine constitution mandates that the country retain full control and supervision over the exploration and development of natural resources, an obstacle that has stalled joint agreements with foreign partners.
Malacañang said Manila remains open to renewed dialogue, pushing back against suggestions from Beijing that the Philippines needs to show sincerity.
“In all situations, at all times, the Philippines remains sincere in discussions and negotiations,” Palace Press chief Clarissa A. Castro told reporters in a separate briefing.
He added that any cooperation with China in energy cooperation will ultimately be considered in the national interest. If there are negotiations, “the President will not object to that.”
The South China Sea remains one of Asia’s most volatile areas. China claims almost the entire waterway, a position rejected by a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal that rejected Beijing’s claims. China refused to recognize the decision.
Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured in recent years due to recurring clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships near disputed areas, which has led Manila to deepen defense ties with the US and other allies.
Also on Thursday, Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the Philippines received the first delivery of government-purchased imported fuel, bolstering its energy inventory as global supply risks keep prices rising.
“Diesel purchased by the government has arrived in Luzon,” he said in a Facebook post. “This is the first delivery and there will be more deliveries in the coming days or weeks.”
The Philippines has been struggling to ensure fuel supply as the war involving Iran disrupts global oil trade. The country has 45 days worth of oil, according to the energy ministry.
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil exports, is closed due to Iran’s blockade, adding to supply pressures.
In another related development, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines is close to extending the deadline for a major natural gas supply after a new well in the Malampaya gas field showed stronger-than-expected production.
In a video message, the President said that the Camago-3 well was drilled and tested successfully, producing about 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day. The test results exceeded expectations and could provide additional supplies to support electricity generation and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
The drilling of Camago‑3 marks the second milestone under the $893 million Malampaya Phase 4 development project, which aims to stabilize gas production in the northwestern Palawan offshore area.
‘SCARY CHARACTERS’
Meanwhile, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. he called for closer security cooperation with European nations, urging greater cooperation in defense policies as Manila seeks to expand its alliances amid heightened tensions with China.
Speaking at the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum on Wednesday, Mr. Teodoro said the Philippines and Europe are facing growing security challenges that require coordinated responses to uphold the rules-based international law.
“We must be as creative as possible to come together and work together to address threats and reduce risk,” he said in his keynote speech, according to a document released by the Department of National Defense on Thursday.
“The threat actors we face are increasingly converging,” he added, citing shared security concerns across Europe and the Indo-Pacific involving “actors of the same persuasion.”
His remarks come as the Philippines seeks to deepen security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including discussions on pooling military capabilities to combat threats that undermine global stability.
The visit of Mr. Teodoro in France is also in line with the efforts of Manila and Paris to conclude an agreement on visiting troops, which will make greater military cooperation.
The Philippines has stepped up alliance building as it remains locked in a maritime dispute with China over competing claims in the South China Sea. The waterway is the world’s largest trade route and is believed to hold important energy resources.
Apart from its alliance with the US, Manila has expanded defense ties with Australia, Japan and New Zealand, with similar talks underway with the UK.
Mr. Teodoro said the conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine emphasize the need for interregional cooperation, saying that global instability affects even countries that are not directly involved in the conflict. – Adrian H. Halili, Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Chloe Mari A. Hufana again SJ Talavera
