By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The Philippines and China are set to resume and convene their bilateral talks on the South China Sea in Quangzhou, Fujian in China, on March 28, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Friday.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim said the two sides are currently hammering out the agenda that would be included in the 11th Philippine-China Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM), which is being held back-to-back with the 24th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations.
Herrera-Lim is leading the Philippine delegation to the BCM, while the Chinese side is led by his counterpart, Chinese Foreign Ministry Vice President Sun Weidong.
“We will mention several topics for cooperation, including momentum on the COC (Code of Conduct in the South China Sea),” he said in an interview.
In this edition of BCM, Herrera-Lim said the two sides would focus on exchanging views on developments in the vital waterway since the last meeting was convened in China early 2025.
Oil and gas exploration
Asked if the subject of a joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea would be part of the agenda, he said: “Masyadong complicated yung oil… Exploratory lang at best kung papayag sila na i-explore namin na mag-exchange ng views on potential values for cooperation.”
In a separate statement, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said the latest meetings would serve as venues to “explore possible cooperation in non-sensitive areas.”
The BCM, established in 2017, is intended to serve as a platform where the two sides could discuss issues related to the South China Sea in a frank and constructive manner.
The resumption also comes as Manila seeks to revitalize cooperation with Beijing against the backdrop of the ongoing Middle East conflict that had been causing massive interruptions to oil supply across the world.
Herrera-Lim said the Philippines, at present, is looking at whether the two nations could use the energy crisis as an “opportunity to have platforms for cooperation” to sustain energy security in the region.
The statement follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent remarks, saying the energy disruptions could serve as an “impetus” to revive the oil talks with China, which had been terminated in 2022 due to “constitutional limitations.” (PNA)
