Amid a possible favorable ruling from the arbitration court over the territorial spat, Philippines is willing to share natural resources with China in West Philippine Sea, including Scarborough Shoal and Reed Bank, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Friday.
In his interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Yasay said the Philippines is open to share Scarborough Shoal and Reed Bank.
“It’s my understanding that in the long course of history, Scarborough Shoal has been the traditional fishing grounds not only for Filipinos but also for Vietnamese, Chinese. We can continue with this arrangement,” he said.
“The resources there are God-given for all and for everyone to enjoy. We can work at joint benefit in so far as using the marine resources in the area.”
Yasay said the Philippines would also consider jointly exploring a natural gas field at Reed Bank, which is similarly within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and far from China’s nearest major landmass.
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