Ex-Chinese envoy hopes Philippines-China talks on joint exploration would continue

Former Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao is hoping that the Marcos administration will consider joint oil and gas exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea, according to JP Soriano's report on Unang Balita on Monday.

The Philippines, under the Duterte administration, terminated the discussions on the framework of a memorandum of understanding with China regarding the joint oil exploration.

Liu, currently the minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, made the statement in a dialogue with the media organized by the Chinese Embassy over the weekend.

"I hope that the discussions will continue and both sides will demonstrate some kind of flexibility so that, without prejudicing each other's claims or their own positions, so that cooperation could happen," he said.

The Philippines and China are locked in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea, including what the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea, which is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and is believed to be rich in oil and other energy resources.

China has continued its incursions in the area despite the 2016 arbitral ruling upholding Manila's EEZ and invalidating Beijing's expansive nine-dash claim in the South China Sea.

China has refused to honor the ruling.

Also during the dialogue, Lui said China is ready to help the Philippines develop nuclear power plants as power sources. He, however, said the two countries should consider solar energy first, as this is the expertise of China.

"This all depends on the national development strategy, the power policy of the Philippines," Liu said.

Liu also said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is welcome in China for a state visit and expressed hope that the Philippine leader's schedule would allow it soon.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it acknowledged Liu's remarks "specifically his recognition that there are significant legal issues that must be considered before joint oil and gas exploration can proceed."

"As it has always been, the Department is guided by the Constitution on the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources located within the exclusive economic zone, continental shelf and jurisdiction of the Philippines," the DFA said.

The department also welcomed the appointment by the DOE of former Chief Justices Artemio V. Panganiban and Reynato S. Puno as the co-chairs of the DOE’s Law and Energy Advisory Panel to guide the legal process.

"The Department looks forward to working with the DOE on a way that is anchored in the Constitution and with the protection and promotion of Philippine national interests as the paramount consideration," the DFA said. —with Michaela Del Callar/KBK/NB, GMA News