BEIJING - China hopes it can work together with the Philippines in jointly developing energy projects in the South China Sea, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a daily briefing on Friday.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted a moratorium on petroleum exploration in the South China Sea, paving the way for three projects to resume, including a possible joint venture with China.

(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley; editing by John Stonestreet) ((Gao.Liangping@thomsonreuters.com;))