THE Philippines and China have made “initial exchanges” on potential oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, nearly four years since previous talks were terminated in 2022.
The subject was raised at the just-concluded Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM) on South China Sea meeting in Fujian, China, on March 28.
The two sides brought up the need to stabilize access to energy and fertilizers, as well as potential cooperation in green and renewable energy, trade and agriculture, against the backdrop of current global developments, including the Middle East crisis.
A geopolitical analyst on Sunday said renewed discussions between the Philippines and China on possible joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea come at a critical time, as global supply uncertainties mount due to tensions in the Middle East.
