Beijing open to exploring for oil, gas with Manila in South China Sea

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (far left) meeting his Philippine counterpart Alan Peter Cayetano in Manila yesterday. Mr Wang said joint development of natural resources in disputed waters "is full of political wisdom". PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE.

MANILA: China is open to exploring jointly with the Philippines for oil and gas in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, even as it urges South-east Asian nations to "say no" to "non-regional forces" seeking to "stir up trouble" in the region.

"In waters where there is overlapping of maritime rights and interests, if one party goes for unilateral development, then the other party will take the same actions, and that might complicate the situation at sea.