The two countries have agreed to set up a special panel to work out how they can jointly explore in part of the hotly contested waters without having to address the issue of sovereignty, something experts say would be extremely complex. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said the areas being considered were sites covered by service contracts 57 and 72, which are exploration permits issued by the Philippines’ Department of Energy.

2 sites for possible PH-China exploration. (2018, March 5). Manila Bulletin, p. 6.