MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said evolving global political dynamics could eventually lead to a recalibration of relations between the Philippines and China.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos acknowledged that adjustments in diplomatic ties may become necessary as the global landscape continues to shift due to rising tensions across regions.
“I think it’s certainly going to happen… it’s already happening,” Marcos said when asked if a reset in Philippine-China relations is possible.
The President said the world appears to be entering a period of major geopolitical restructuring, noting that some leaders have suggested existing international frameworks and legal arrangements may need to be reconsidered.
Despite ongoing maritime disputes, Marcos said the Philippines continues to separate its economic partnerships with China from territorial issues.
He noted that Chinese investments remain involved in several key government programs and that Beijing has not used economic cooperation to pressure the Philippines.
Manila and Beijing remain locked in a dispute over parts of the West Philippine Sea within the broader South China Sea, an area believed to hold significant energy and fishery resources.
The dispute intensified after a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims, a decision that China continues to reject.
Marcos said negotiations regarding potential joint gas exploration in contested waters have been discussed for years, although the territorial conflict has complicated progress.
Philippines hopes for peace
On the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Marcos reiterated that the Philippines supports peace and diplomacy.
“Our foreign policy is straightforward — peace and the national interest,” he said, emphasizing that armed conflict is not in the country’s interest.
He said the Philippines is closely monitoring developments and hopes tensions will ease soon.
Diversifying energy sources
Marcos also disclosed that the government is exploring the possibility of importing fuel from Russia to help secure the country’s energy supply.
Although Russia has not traditionally supplied energy to the Philippines, the government is considering alternative sources as it tries to stabilize supply during the ongoing energy crisis.
The effort follows the government’s declaration of a national energy emergency, prompted by escalating tensions in the Middle East where the Philippines sources most of its oil imports.
iamigo/xf
