The Philippines said on Thursday it was pursuing a long-delayed oil and gas exploration project with Chinese state-owned entity CNOOC Ltd and a Canada-listed company in an area near disputed waters in the South China Sea. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Philippine government was also looking for a “win-win solution” with other South China Sea claimants, including China, to pave the way for oil and gas exploration within contested waters. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually, while Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

PH to explore for oil, gas with China near disputed waters. (2017, October 2). Panay News, p. B2.