The Philippine government declared Sunday that future energy partnerships with China must strictly adhere to the nation’s constitutional framework and honor Philippine sovereignty.
The Foreign Affairs Department acknowledged public commentary from various organizations regarding potential renewed energy discussions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea, an area where both nations have ongoing territorial disagreements.
Officials from the Chinese embassy in Manila had not provided a response to requests for comment at the time of this report.
“Any decision to pursue, structure, or conclude an agreement on oil and gas cooperation, with China or any other foreign government, will be made solely in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and the country’s laws, jurisprudence and regulations, and in full assertion of its sovereign prerogatives,” the department stated.
In late March, Manila and Beijing renewed diplomatic conversations regarding the contested South China Sea waters, examining initial measures for potential energy collaboration and tackling supply challenges for oil and fertilizers stemming from Middle Eastern conflicts.
Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has emphasized the importance of bolstering the nation’s energy independence and maintaining reliable, cost-effective power sources.
