Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says discussions with China on possible joint oil and gas energy exploration in the disputed South China Sea are moving forward. He frames the talks as part of efforts to reduce tensions between Manila and Beijing.
The outlets report that Marcos characterizes the dialogue as still feasible, without providing additional details on timing, locations, or the specific terms under discussion. The broader context is the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea, where energy resources are a key factor and where maritime tensions remain sensitive.
Bloomberg and Philstar both emphasize Marcos’s de-escalation message and that engagement with China remains open. Neither account suggests an immediate agreement, focusing instead on the status of talks and the president’s stated intention to keep channels open.
