MANILA — The Philippines and China have resumed high-level negotiations on the South China Sea, reopening dialogue on maritime tensions and potential cooperation as global energy disruptions push both sides to revisit stalled engagements.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the two countries reconvened over the weekend in Quangzhou, Fujian for the 11th meeting of the Philippine-China Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM), held alongside the 24th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim is leading the Philippine delegation, while Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong heads the Chinese side, with both parties finalizing an agenda expected to tackle key regional and maritime issues.
“We will mention several topics for cooperation, including momentum on the COC (Code of Conduct in the South China Sea),” Herrera-Lim said.
The talks are expected to assess developments in the disputed waterway since the last round of consultations in China earlier in 2025, as Manila and Beijing seek to manage tensions and identify possible areas of engagement.
Herrera-Lim said discussions on joint oil and gas exploration remain uncertain, underscoring the complexity of the issue.
“Masyadong complicated ‘yong oil… Exploratory lang at best kung papayag sila na i-explore namin na mag-exchange ng views on potential values for cooperation,” he said.
In a separate statement, DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said the consultations could provide an avenue to “explore possible cooperation in non-sensitive areas.”
Established in 2017, the BCM serves as a direct platform for the Philippines and China to address concerns in the South China Sea and promote constructive dialogue.
The latest round of talks comes as the Philippines seeks to strengthen engagement with China amid global energy supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Herrera-Lim said the government is evaluating whether the current energy challenges could be turned into an “opportunity to have platforms for cooperation” aimed at ensuring regional energy security.
The renewed discussions also follow earlier remarks by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who said the global energy situation may serve as an “impetus” to revisit oil exploration talks with China, which were halted in 2022 due to “constitutional limitations.”/PN
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Manila and Beijing seek to manage tensions in the West Philippine Sea and identify possible areas of engagement.
