Marcos says Philippines-China joint oil and gas exploration possible before 2028

August 17, 2026 at 04:29 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that joint offshore oil and gas exploration with China remains a 'distinct possibility' before his term ends in 2028. He made the remarks at a foreign media luncheon in Manila, citing the U.S.-Israel-Iran war and Manila's need to shore up energy security. The comments come despite intensifying disputes between the two countries in the South China Sea.

Key Facts

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that joint offshore oil and gas exploration with China remains a 'distinct possibility' before his term ends in 2028.
Marcos made the remarks at a foreign media luncheon in Manila.
He cited the U.S.-Israel-Iran war as highlighting Manila's need to shore up energy security.
In March, Marcos declared a national energy emergency after the Strait of Hormuz closure triggered a spike in fuel prices.
Marcos and Xi Jinping agreed in early 2023 to resume exploration talks, but progress stalled amid South China Sea disputes.

Joint Exploration Talks

Marcos said Manila and Beijing were making progress in talks on joint offshore oil and gas exploration. He said the discussion has gained prominence and that there were several issues from the beginning that are being slowly worked through. Marcos described the joint exploration as a 'distinct possibility' but did not give a timeline for a deal. He said the sense he gets is that all parties involved want it to succeed, which he called a very good sign.

Energy Security Drivers

Marcos linked the possibility to the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, which he said highlighted Manila's need to shore up energy security. He said the Philippines needs additional supplies of oil and gas and must explore possibilities in the West Philippine Sea and elsewhere. In March, Marcos told Bloomberg Television that the Middle East war and the oil supply shock could provide an impetus for both sides to agree. That same day, Marcos declared a national energy emergency due to impacts of the Strait of Hormuz closure, which caused a sudden spike in fuel prices.

Talks History

Marcos' predecessor Rodrigo Duterte terminated oil and gas exploration talks with China in mid-2022. Then-Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said discussions had gone as far as constitutionally possible. Marcos and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to resume the talks during Marcos' state visit to Beijing in early 2023. They have made very little progress due to the intensification of the disputes in the South China Sea. Since taking office, Marcos has openly challenged China's behavior in Philippine-claimed waters, fortified security relations with the United States, and introduced a transparency policy publicizing China Coast Guard actions in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.