BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to move forward with maritime cooperation with the Philippines in various fields to benefit the two countries, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.

Governments of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development on Tuesday.

"The two countries have taken a new step on exploration and development of oil and gas," spokesperson Geng Shuang told a daily press briefing, adding that the two sides would continue to discuss the related details.

Geng said China also hoped to enhance communication with other countries along the South China Sea on such cooperation, to make the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.