West PH Sea, But Make It Talks Again: Manila and Beijing Reopen the Oil-and-Gas Channel

The Philippines and China have reopened discussions on possible oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, according to a report by The Manila Times. The issue came up during the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism meeting held in Fujian on March 28, marking the first formal movement on the subject since earlier talks were terminated in 2022.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said both sides made ‘initial exchanges’ on the matter while also discussing ways to improve confidence in the maritime domain. The same statement said the two countries had a frank exchange on tensions in the South China Sea, with Manila raising concerns over Chinese actions that it said disrupted lawful activities and created risks at sea.

At the same time, the Philippine side reiterated that diplomacy and communication remain necessary in managing disputes, while also emphasizing international law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral award. That means the talks are not a reset button on the sea dispute, but more like a cautious reopening of one very specific economic track.

The article also said both governments discussed energy access, fertilizers, trade, agriculture, and possible cooperation in green and renewable energy, partly against the backdrop of the ongoing Middle East crisis. The DFA said reopening the proper bilateral mechanisms was a necessary step before any deeper negotiations could move forward.

A geopolitical analyst interviewed by the paper described the renewed discussions as timely because of global oil and gas uncertainty, but also warned that trust issues remain. So yes, bumalik ang usapan — but whether it turns into a real joint project will depend on political consistency, strategic interests, and how both sides handle the bigger tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Source: The Manila Times