DFA Releases Full Quanzhou Talks Readout; Philippines and China Formally Start SCS Oil Exploration Dialogue

The Philippine DFA released a comprehensive readout of the March 27-28 BCM/FMC meetings on March 29, confirming: (1) Manila 'firmly reiterated' its position on the South China Sea and raised concerns over 'Chinese actions that have disrupted lawful activities and posed risks at sea'; (2) 'initial exchanges on potential oil and gas cooperation' took place; (3) future cooperation areas include coast guard communication, meteorology, renewable energy, trade, and agriculture; (4) a Philippine-China foreign ministers' meeting is planned 'within the year'; (5) China invited the Philippines to a marine science and technology symposium in September 2026. The Manila Times reported that the Philippines and China had formally 'started oil exploration talks' — the first such engagement since the Locsin era terminated them in 2022. The Diplomat published an analysis questioning whether the Philippines is 'really about to restart joint oil exploration with China,' noting constitutional barriers and sovereignty concerns remain unresolved.