Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says Iran war may push Philippines closer to China due to regional economic restructuring, amid energy dispute in the South China Sea.

The Iran war could provide an impetus for the Philippines and China to reach an agreement on disputed energy resources in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said recently. Marcos, the rotational chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, emphasised the need for a “reset” in relations with China given that regional states are confronting “very serious” economic and foreign policy restructuring. Marcos’ statements came shortly after the Philippine...