Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has signalled that Manila intends to keep its channels of cooperation with Beijing open despite continuing tensions in the South China Sea.
Speaking about the Philippines' relationship with China, Marcos said there was no policy of distancing the country from Beijing. Instead, he pointed to areas where the two countries continue to work together, particularly in the economic sphere.
“We are continuing to find many, many instances where we are very much in cooperation with China.”
Marcos also highlighted China's importance as an investor in the Philippines, saying Beijing remains one of the country's biggest investors.
The remarks underline the difficult balance Manila continues to maintain: strengthening its position on maritime issues while preserving economic and diplomatic engagement with one of its most important regional partners.
Energy Cooperation Could Provide Another Opening
Marcos also expressed optimism about the possibility of joint energy exploration between the Philippines and China.
Potential cooperation in the energy sector could become significant for Manila as it seeks to strengthen energy security and attract investment.
However, any such cooperation would take place against the backdrop of longstanding disagreements between the two countries over parts of the South China Sea.
