China and the Philippines will promote cooperation on oil and gas exploration in non-disputed areas, Beijing's ambassador to the Philippines said on Thursday.

Ambassador Huang Xilian made the comment in a post on Facebook after a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Xi pledged to work with the Philippines on properly handling maritime issues through friendly consultation, resume negotiations on oil and gas exploration, promote cooperation on oil and gas exploration in non-disputed areas, and conduct green energy cooperation on photovoltaics, wind power, and new energy vehicles, Huang said.

China and the Philippines have agreed to set up direct communication channels on the South China Sea and handle disputes peacefully, both countries said in a joint communique released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

The nations reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation and overflight there. (Reuters)