China, Philippines boost oil cooperation

Beijing hopes that China and the Philippines will promote joint development of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday.

Zhao made the remarks after Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte lifted a six-year moratorium on petroleum exploration in the region.

"China and the Philippines have reached consensus on the joint development of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea and have established a cooperation mechanism for relevant consultations," Zhao said at a daily news briefing.