Teodoro Locsin in a speech said the Philippines' objective of exploiting its offshore energy reserves could not be achieved if it were at expense of sovereignty. He did not elaborate on the decision on the talks, which were centered on assets located in the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)