President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will bring up the discussion on the joint oil and gas exploration between the Philippines and China during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial revealed that the President will bring the matter up when he meets with his counterpart on Jan. 4 during his state visit in China.
"Under energy cooperation, the President may raise or continue his discussions with President Xi, which began, by the way, during their meeting in Bangkok (Thailand), on oil and gas cooperation," Imperial said.
Marcos believes that the Philippines needs the oil resources it can get from the West Philippine Sea now more than China. He revealed in early December that the national government has been finding other ways to pursue the oil and gas exploration other than the usual government-to-government talks.
In his first visit in China as the head of state, Marcos will, however, uphold the country's sovereignty and sovereign rights, Imperial said.
"The President wants a peaceful and stable situation in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) and will continue to uphold our country's sovereignty and sovereign rights during his meetings with Chinese leaders," he said.
The Foreign Affairs official also revealed that the Philippines is expected to ink a deal with China on establishing direct communication over the disputed waters.
The deal aims to prevent "miscalculation and miscommunication" in the WPS.
"o avoid miscalculation and miscommunication in the West Philippine Sea, both sides have agreed to sign an agreement establishing communication, direct communication between the foreign ministries of both countries at various levels and that is expected to be signed by Secretary Enrique Manalo and his counterpart, state counsellor and foreign minister Wang Yi during the visit," Imperial said.