Original Source
Philippines Expresses Willingness to Resume Joint Oil Exploration with China
China Welcomes Philippines' Overture for Joint Oil Exploration
China has welcomed the willingness of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines to restart joint oil exploration activities in the South China Sea. The Chinese Embassy in Manila stated that Beijing's door to dialogue and cooperation would remain open, provided the Philippine side demonstrates sincerity. However, it did not specify how China expects the Philippine government to demonstrate this sincerity.
Philippines Affirms Sincerity and Denies Secret Deals
Malacañang Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro insisted that the Marcos Jr. administration has always been sincere in talks and negotiations with China. She firmly stated that President Marcos Jr. has no 'secret deal'. President Marcos Jr. had previously acknowledged that maritime tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea pose challenges to resuming dialogue on joint energy exploration.
*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-03-27)*
