By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – China has conveyed its openness to restart talks on a possible joint oil exploration with the Philippines in the South China Sea, describing it as the “right path” to upholding stability in the contested waterway.
“Setting aside differences and pursuing joint development is the right path to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and deliver benefits to countries in the region and their peoples,” said the Chinese Embassy in Manila in a statement late Wednesday night.
It noted that China and the Philippines in the past have conducted “in-depth discussions on joint oil and gas development” in disputed waters in the South China Sea and “have made positive progress.”
“As long as the Philippine side demonstrates sincerity, China’s door to dialogue and cooperation will remain open,” it said.
In 2022, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippines initiated the termination of oil talks with China after at least three years of negotiations due to “constitutional limitations.”
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the current oil crisis caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict could serve as an “impetus” to revive the discussions.
“That’s something we’ve been talking about for a great deal, but the territorial disputes get in the way of that. Maybe this will provide the impetus for both sides to come to an agreement,” he said in a Bloomberg News interview.
In a separate forum on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Marcos has not yet given any directive related to the oil talks “but it may be forthcoming.” (PNA)
