{
  "id": 842636,
  "title": "Philippines’ Marcos confident on economic cooperation with China, despite rows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/philippines-marcos-confident-on-economic-cooperation-with-china",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T05:44:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/14/philippines-marcos-confident-on-economic-cooperation-with-china-despite-rows"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed confidence on Friday that despite recent disagreements with China in the South China Sea, the two nations could still collaborate economically, including on joint energy exploration. Speaking at an event in Manila with foreign journalists, Marcos said there were multiple instances of cooperation between the two countries, including on energy supplies during the recent Middle East conflict. He emphasized that China remains one of the Philippines' biggest investors. Tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated in recent years due to disputes in the South China Sea, including clashes at disputed territories and Beijing imposing sanctions on the Philippine defense minister. However, Marcos highlighted the importance of the Philippines securing a stable energy supply, noting that offshore gas deposits, such as the Reed Bank in its exclusive economic zone, could be tapped through joint exploration. The two nations have discussed this prospect for years but have struggled to reach an agreement due to disagreements on sovereignty rights. Marcos stated that there is a desire from all parties involved to make the joint exploration a success, which he considered a positive sign. He also clarified that there was no special arrangement with China requiring Philippines to seek permission for resupply missions in the South China Sea or relinquish its rights, affirming that Manila's position had not been weakened.",
  "summary": "Ferdinand Marcos Jr said there had been many instances of the two countries cooperating, including on energy supplies when conflict broke out in the Middle East this year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Philippines’ Marcos confident on economic cooperation with China, despite rows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/philippines-marcos-confident-on-economic-cooperation-with-china-844530",
        "published": "2026-08-14T05:44:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "The death of Zhu Rongji, China’s economic reformer",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/the-death-of-zhu-rongji-chinas-economic-reformer",
        "published": "2026-08-14T06:39:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}