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Opinion | China-Philippines cooperation puts relations with Asean on a friendly footing in 2023
- Despite tensions over the South China Sea, Marcos’ recent state visit shows Beijing’s readiness to woo Southeast Asia with trade deals
- The meeting provides a model for strengthening ties and resolving disputes with other Asean members
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Recent years have seen ups and downs in China’s relations with Southeast Asia. Economic ties continue to grow but there have also been periodic frictions due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Covid-19 and rising strategic competition between Beijing and Washington.
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This year presents a chance for Beijing to put relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on a more steady footing. China is eager to shore up ties with its Asean neighbours to prevent them being drawn too far into Washington’s orbit, while the country’s reopening paves the way to revive exchanges with the region.
Meanwhile, Asean members are prioritising growth and jobs as they face stiff economic challenges in the wake of the pandemic, increasing incentives to resolve differences and work closer with China.
The recent state visit to Beijing by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is the latest sign of the positive momentum in China-Asean relations. Marcos left Beijing with an impressive haul of deliverables, including US$22.8 billion in investment pledges, an agreement to allow Philippine fishermen to resume operations at their historic fishing grounds, and an offer by President Xi Jinping to reopen talks on joint oil and gas exploration.
Both sides have good reasons to pursue energy cooperation in the South China Sea and find ways to overcome the constitutional and sovereignty constraints that led to the breakdown of negotiations last year. Most importantly, working together to develop energy resources will help avoid conflict over disputed waters.
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The Philippines is keen to tap new sources of fossil fuels; its reliance on energy imports makes it highly exposed to rising oil prices, while its main domestic gas supply, the Malampaya gas field, is nearing depletion.
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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr visits Beijing; Xi offers talks on joint oil exploration deal
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr visits Beijing; Xi offers talks on joint oil exploration deal
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