The Tanzanian government approved the construction of a new $3.5 billion pipeline as part of the controversial Sino-French East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The 1,443km pipeline will transport crude from new oil fields in Uganda, currently being developed by Chinese oil major CNOOC and France’s TotalEnegies. (AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE)

Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo met with one of China’s top foreign policy officials, Fu Ying, for what he called a “candid exchange” about a recent incident between their Coast Guards in the South China Sea. Fu, a former ambassador to Manila, did not comment on the discussion held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. (MANILA BULLETIN)