Beijing Signals There Are Security Conditions to Energy Cooperation With Manila

A pedestrian reads a sign at a petrol station in Tacloban City, Leyte province, central Philippines on March 30, 2026. Photo by MARLON TANO / AFP

A strongly worded People’s Daily commentary suggests Beijing is hardening its position on any renewed oil-and-gas cooperation with the Philippines, linking deeper cooperation to Manila’s behavior in the South China Sea.

The article, which appeared on 21 April in the Chinese-language edition of People’s Daily, says the Philippines, having declared an energy emergency, wants Chinese help on oil and gas while simultaneously escalating maritime tensions and expanding security ties with the U.S. and Japan. 

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by CGSP Staff

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 India Forced to Pay Russia in Yuan, Handing China an Unexpected Win
5 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
6 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C

You Might Like

The Philippines Walks a Tricky Line Between the Superpowers

China has rejected a joint call by the Philippines and the United States to scale back its presence in the South China Sea. This follows Tuesday’s 2+2 talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. ...

Chinese Scholars Say Closer Philippines-U.S. Ties Mark a “Dangerous Signal”

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, met U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for brunch on Tuesday at her official residence in northwest Washington. D.C. During their talks at the ...

Philippines Eyes Multilateral Approach Against China in South China Sea

The Philippines will increase multilateral activities, including freedom of navigation transits in the South China Sea and hopes more partners will “join our fight” after multiple recent run-ins with Chinese maritime forces. China’s recent ...

Biden Says Pact With Philippines “Ironclad” While Asserting China Aggression in South China Sea

U.S. President Joe Biden called China’s action towards the Philipines in the South China Sea  “dangerous” and “unlawful” and said any attack would result in U.S. involvement. “The United States defense commitment to ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP
Detected IP: ...