China, Philippines discuss cooperation in energy sectors

Energy officials from China and the Philippines discussed possible cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of power, renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) earlier in the week, a statement from the Chinese government said.

The two governments have agreed to deepen economic ties after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last October to mend ties that have been strained by disputes in the South China Sea.

China’s National Energy Administration director Nur Bekri and Philippine Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi also discussed cooperation on nuclear power, according to the statement. Cusi also met with chairman of China National Offshore Oil Company, it said.

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), a major national oil company in China, was in discussions with the government of President Rodrigo Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, about possible joint exploration but failed to reach an agreement.

Earlier this week, Beijing said it also agreed to cooperate with Manila on 30 anti-poverty projects worth US$3.7 billion.