Philippines, China meet next month on oil exploration

MANILA, Philippines — Negotiations for joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea are set to resume in Beijing next month, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a statement, the DFA said Philippine and Chinese officials are set to meet for preparatory talks “sometime in May.”

“The meeting will discuss parameters and terms of reference,” the DFA said in a statement.

In his state visit to China on Jan. 5, President Marcos agreed with Beijing “to resume discussions on oil and gas development at an early date,” the DFA said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said they would regularly provide concerned parties and the public updates on the talks.

In October, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said China was hopeful of finding “some way out” of its rift with the Philippines and begin the joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea as early as possible.

Manalo said negotiations with any country should fall within the limits of the Philippine Constitution.

Former foreign affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced in June 2022 that the Philippines had terminated completely the discussions over joint energy exploration between Manila and Beijing.

Locsin said former president Rodrigo Duterte ordered the termination of discussions due to constitutional constraints and concerns about Philippine sovereignty.