PH, China make ‘initial exchanges’ on South China Sea energy cooperation 

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Representatives from the two countries meet in Quanzhou for back-to-back meetings on bilateral issues, including maritime concerns, as a prelude to a foreign ministers’ meeting ‘within the year’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China discussed “practical measures that are consistent with Philippine law and policy to increase confidence in the maritime domain,” including “initial exchanges on potential oil and gas cooperation” during back-to-back meetings on March 27 and 28, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement late Saturday, March 28. 

The Philippines also said the two countries’ foreign ministers — the Philippines’ Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and China’s Minister Wang Yi — are expected to meet “within the year.” 

Representatives from the Philippines, led by DFA Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim, met with their Chinese counterparts during the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) and the 11th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea. The meeting in Quanzhou is the first FMC since a meeting in Manila back in March 2023 and the first BCM since January 2025 in Xiamen. 

China’s delegation was led, meanwhile, by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. 

At the BCM, the platform through which the two Asian countries discuss South China Sea issues, the Philippines said it “raised concerns over incidents affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, including actions that have disrupted lawful activities and posed risks at sea.” 

“The Philippines emphasized the need for diplomacy and communication for managing differences at sea, and upholding international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” said the DFA. Beijing does not recognize the Arbitral Award, which determined that its historical claims over the South China Sea had no basis and reaffirmed the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that’s part of what it calls the West Philippine Sea. 

The DFA said the two countries “made progress” on discussions of “coast guard to coast guard communication, ocean meteorology, and initial exchanges on potential oil and gas cooperation.” Days before the Philippine delegation left for China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a Bloomberg interview that the oil crisis triggered by the United States and Israel’s war on Iran could be an “impetus” for Manila and Beijing to pursue joint gas exploration. 

During the FMC, the Philippines said it “discussed the importance of stable access to energy and fertilizers, as well as potential cooperation in green and renewable energy, trade, and agriculture, with the reconvening of appropriate bilateral mechanisms identified as a necessary step.” 

“People-to-people exchanges and tourism were also highlighted, such as through visa-free arrangements, enhanced connectivity, and prospective new direct air routes between the two countries,” the DFA said. Manila has recently allowed visa-free entry for Chinese nationals to the Philippines through select airports. 

“The Philippines underscored that it will continue to play a responsible and professional role as ASEAN Chair in managing regional discussions, upholding ASEAN centrality, and reinforcing a rules-based order that contributes to regional peace and stability,” added the DFA. 

The meetings in Quanzhou are only the latest engagements in the warming of bilateral ties between China and the Philippines. Marcos, in the same Bloomberg interview, said a “reset” of the relationship was “certain” with the changing geopolitical landscape because of the war in the gulf. 

Ties between the two countries turned cold between 2023 and 2025, just as the Philippines became more aggressive and public in defending its entitlements and claims in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a critical waterway for world trade. 

PHILIPPINE DELEGATION. DFA Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim leads Philippine representatives during back-to-back FMC and BCM meetings in Quanzhou, China from March 27 to 28, 2026.

Several features in the West Philippine Sea are flashpoints for maritime tensions — Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal where the BRP Sierra Madre is grounded, Scarborough Shoal which has been under Chinese control since 2012, Sabina Shoal, and even Pag-asa Island, the largest feature in the West Philippine Sea with a permanent civilian population. 

On March 25, a Chinese naval ship performed dangerous maneuvers against the BRP Benguet off the waters of Pag-asa Island. Beijing claims it was Manila who acted dangerously at sea. 

A “provisional arrangement” has been in place for the Philippines’ rotational and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre since 2024, or after China Coast Guard personnel harassed and towed the boats of Filipino soldiers who were also moored close to the grounded Navy ship. A Filipino soldier lost his thumb during the incident while Philippine military equipment were destroyed by the Chinese. 

Chinese harassment persists other parts of the West Philippine Sea, as well — from dangerous maneuvers to the use of water cannons against government vessels and even Filipino fisherfolk in wooden ships.  – Rappler.com