《中菲专刊》 英文电子刊_副本

HUANG XILIAN: STEADY GROWTH OF THE CHINA-PHILIPPINES

 COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP 

EMBRACING BETTER BILATERAL TIES

‘A BROOM IS STURDIEST WHEN ITS BRISTLES ARE TIGHTLY BOUND’

 Helping Hands

SAYING NO TO TRAFFICKING 

RECOVERING TOGETHER 

CHINA-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS IN NUMBERS

CHINA A PARTNER NOT A RIVAL 

‘MOTHERLAND ON MY MIND’ 

UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES

SHORTCUT TO UNDERSTANDING 

CENTURIES OF FRIENDSHIP

 

BEAUTIFUL DAYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Top Talk 

United Front 

Focus

People

Culture 

Picturing the Times 

Opinion

Contents

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 25, 2019.

China and the Philippines formally established diplomatic ties in 1975. Despite twists and turns over the years, this bilateral relationship has been consolidated and enhanced through progress in practical cooperation across the board. In commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Sino-Philippine diplomatic ties, this special issue of China Report ASEAN is packed with stories of bilateral friendship and cooperation. We look forward to the further development of the deep-rooted friendship between our two countries.

EMBRACING 

THE RAINBOW TOGETHER

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Philippines diplomatic relations, so China Report ASEAN interviewed Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, to get a better idea of the opportunities and cooperation potential the two countries share. 

 Huang Xilian: President Xi Jinping and President Duterte have placed considerable effort on improving bilateral relations in recent years so the two countries have maintained peace and friendship, expanded economic and trade cooperation and increased people-to-people exchanges. The two countries have enhanced cooperation on political security. President Xi Jinping and President Duterte have met eight times since 2016, and high-level interactions between the two countries have been very frequent, giving powerful impetus to bilateral relations. China and the Philippines enjoy fruitful economic and trade cooperation. China has become the Philippines’ largest trading partner, largest source of imports, largest source of foreign investment and third largest export market. The people-to-people bonds have become closer. China is now the second largest source of tourists for the Philippines. Last year, the total number of Chinese tourist arrivals to the Philippines reached 1.74 million, a year-on-year increase of 38 percent. My top priorities have been to implement consensus reached by heads of the two countries and ensure steady and enduring growth of the China-Philippines comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. 

 Huang Xilian: Cooperation on infrastructure is the key link between the BRI and the “Build, Build, Build” program. The Global Competitiveness Report 2019 published by the World Economic Forum ranked the Philippines 96th on infrastructure citing its need to increase spending. At the same time, China has created the world’s biggest construction market and fostered a group of globally competitive construction companies. Cooperation on infrastructure between China and the Philippines has also won policy support. President Duterte attended both the first and second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing to stress his support for further cooperation in such areas. 

 China Report ASEAN: Which sectors look most promising for economic and trade cooperation? 

 Huang Xilian: Under the strategic direction of heads of China and the Philippines, tensions have eased, and bilateral relations have improved markedly. The current bilateral trade volume between China and the Philippines has ballooned to more than 800 times what it was at the beginning of diplomatic relations. China and the Philippines also have made progress on investment cooperation. In July 2019, DITO, a joint venture with China Telecom, obtained its third license for operating telecommunications in the Philippines, and relevant construction has progressed steadily. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) of the Philippines and China Gezhouba Group Company Limited have entered negotiations on a series of cooperation projects in an industrial park in New Clark City. The overall trend of China’s contracted projects in the Philippines has been generally positive, and inter-governmental and commercial projects are all progressing well. 

 Huang Xilian: In recent years, people-to-people exchange has been gaining momentum thanks to support from both governments and communities. Next, the two countries will actively build new platforms for people-to-people exchange based on traditional friendship. First, we will focus on increasing activities targeting a wider range of people and attracting greater local interest to consolidate foundation for cultural exchange. Second, we are working actively to adapt to the development needs in the new era by strengthening cooperation in cultural industries and vigorously promote exchange and cooperation in fields such as think tanks, youth, media and sports.

HUANG XILIAN: 

STEADY GROWTH OF THE CHINA-PHILIPPINES COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP

By Wang Fengjuan

Top Talk

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippines diplomatic ties. China Report ASEAN conducted an exclusive interview with Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana, Ambassador of the Philippines to China.  

  Romana: Philippines-China relations have steadily improved and strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, anchored mainly on our strong people-to-people ties. In recent years, substantial progress in Philippines-China bilateral relations has translated into enhanced relations across various fields, particularly in trade and investment cooperation, infrastructure development, cultural and people-to-people exchange, as well as cooperation on law enforcement, anti-terrorism, health issues and pandemics, and international affairs. The Philippines looks forward to further improving our relations with China as we endeavor to pursue people-centered cooperation for our mutual development. 

Romana: Infrastructure development is an area where significant synergy in Philippines-China economic cooperation has been achieved through the Philippines’ “Build, Build, Build” program and BRI. Under the Duterte administration’s flagship program are various projects including the construction of highways, railways, dams, flood control systems, bridges, and other key projects. China has extended financial support through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and grant financing for a number of projects under the program. At present, major projects are already in the implementation phase. Notable examples of these are the Kaliwa Dam project and a railway project of state-owned Philippine National Railways. Several railway, bridge and flood control projects are about to enter the construction phase, following completion of preparatory requirements. These projects have likewise obtained ODA loan financing from China. 

Romana: The trajectory of Philippines-China economic cooperation has indeed been highly remarkable. China is now the Philippines’ largest trading partner and top import supplier. In 2018, China was the top source of approved investments, with investments of nearly US$1 billion, up 2,072% from US$45.4 million in 2017. China’s expanding investments in the Philippines fit well with the Philippines’ goal of drawing foreign investments in pursuit of sustained economic growth. Our country hopes to draw in significant Chinese investments in renewable energy, manufacturing of vehicles and other commodities, food processing, tourism infrastructure, and e-commerce, among others. Another primary sector that would benefit from increased foreign investments is the construction industry. The Philippine government has embarked on the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020-2030. In August 2019, a delegation composed of key government officials and industry leaders visited China to showcase the roadmap. They also intended to establish strategic partnerships and pursue collaborations with Chinese firms in the implementation of the Construction Roadmap. 

Romana: The spread of the virus and its effect globally makes it clear that no state can stay immune to the COVID-19 disease, and it heightens the importance of cooperation in dealing with the pandemic. In terms of Philippines-China cooperation on COVID-19, this has been characterized by mutual assistance and cooperation. Exchanges of donations, support and assistance between our countries are the true affirmations of the abiding friendship and legacy of mutual aid that has been the hallmark of Philippine-Chinese ties over the years. As we continue to deal with this pandemic, our bilateral relations will be strengthened as we step up cooperation between our nations through sharing of information and best practices in a prompt manner, capacity building for decisive response, strengthening existing measures, and optimizing mechanisms and initiatives in addressing the COVID-19 epidemic in a mutually effective manner.

EMBRACING BETTER BILATERAL TIES 

Top Talk

By Yuan Yanan, Wang Fengjuan

Exclusive interview with Philippine Ambassador to China

UNITED FRONT

After a charter flight touched down at Manila International Airport in the Philippines at 1:30 p.m. on April 5, Chinese medical experts on board were greeted by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian together with Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi among other senior officials appearing on the tarmac. The experts brought a cargo of medical supplies direly needed in the Philippines. On the package were the words “A broom is sturdiest when its bristles are tightly bound” in both Chinese and Tagalog.

‘A BROOM IS STURDIEST WHEN ITS 

BRISTLES ARE TIGHTLY BOUND’ 

China and the Philippines stand together to fight coronavirus

UNITED FRONT

In the most responsible manner, the Chinese government took the most draconian, comprehensive and thorough measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. 

On February 3, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte praised China’s efforts to fight the novel coronavirus and said his country was ready to provide any assistance it could. He wrote Chinese President Xi a letter to convey his condolences on the coronavirus epidemic. 

On February 21, Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Locsin commented on media coverage of the meeting on social media, accusing some governments and individuals of leveraging a threat to all humanity as a tool to push a geopolitical agenda by spreading rumors, he wrote. “It is shameful.” Chinese scientists finished genetic sequencing of the virus quickly and shared the data with international research institutes to help countries around the world make speedy diagnoses and develop vaccines and treatment therapies. From this perspective, the whole world owes much to China, Locsin said. 

While voicing support for China, the Philippine government also offered anti-virus supplies to help the fight. On February 8, medical masks, protective gowns, goggles and gloves among other supplies donated to China by the Philippines departed Clark International Airport. 

  “I was deeply touched to see handwritten messages like ‘Stay strong, China’ on the packages and hear chants of ‘Stay strong, Wuhan’ at the airport,” recounted Ambassador Huang.

UNITED FRONT

The virus has been spreading in the Philippines since early March. On March 11, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian visited President Duterte in Malacanang. He brought regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippine people as well as the message that China was ready to help the Philippines fight the coronavirus. 

 On March 15, Wang Yi talked with Locsin on the phone at an invitation from the top Philippine diplomat. Wang said that China understood the difficulties the Philippines was facing and that China would spare no efforts to help the country. The following day, 2,000 test kits donated by the Chinese embassy and charitable groups arrived in Manila and were delivered to the country’s Department of Health (DOH). 

 The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines played a key role in delivering the medical supplies from China. Early on March 21, a charter flight packed with the donations from China landed at Manila’s Aquino International Airport. The shipment included 100,000 COVID-19 test kits, 10,000 N95 face masks, 100,000 surgical masks and 10,000 protective suites among other supplies.

UNITED FRONT

People who have dealt with this singular and novel virus are best positioned to provide suggestions for others, Locsin noted, stressing that the Chinese medical team had extensive experience fighting the virus that would help the Philippines tame the epidemic. 

Their arrival also made the Philippine government and people more confident about maintaining the fight until a total victory is achieved, he said. The arrival of Chinese experts testified to the friendship between China and the Philippines, remarked Shi Bibo, executive vice president of the Philippine-Chinese Friendship Association.  

“I believe that concerted efforts from people of both countries will enable us to weather difficulties to defeat the invisible enemy,” declared Huang Xilian. “Friendship between the two countries will be even more solid and vibrant after this test.” 

UNITED FRONT

HELPING HANDS

By Tang Wenjun

Filipino-Chinese people gather strength, 

money and hope during the COVID-19 fight

“COVID-19 is a global challenge, and no one is immune from being affected by it,” proclaims Sun Hu, head of a Filipino-Chinese voluntary action team. In early March, the Philippines saw rapid jump in the outbreak with a growing number of confirmed cases. 

“Everyone is working hard, and we want to play a part,” Sun asserts. Their voluntary services attracted participation from more and more Filipino-Chinese people desiring to do something to support the epidemic fight in the Philippines. 

Upon learning about the outbreak spreading in China around the Spring Festival, the Filipino-Chinese community sprang into action. The Filipino-Chinese Amity Club Inc., Overseas Chinese Alumni Association of the Philippines, Filipino-Chinese Shin Lian Association, World News Daily Inc. and several other Filipino-Chinese organizations collected more than 200 pallets of preventive materials and chartered a plane to transport them to Quanzhou, Fujian Province, on January 27. The Filipino-Chinese community also donated 2 million yuan (US$280,000) in cash to assist anti-epidemic efforts in Wuhan.

The Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCCII) donated a considerable quantity of direly-needed medical supplies to China. “The spread of the epidemic touched every heart in the overseas Chinese community, and we were quite concerned about the health and safety of our brothers and sisters in the motherland,” notes Hong Jixiang, president of the PCCCII. 

After declaring a nationwide public health emergency, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte proclaimed a state of national emergency for six months on March 17. 

Again, the Filipino-Chinese community jumped to action. On March 11, the PCCCII announced allocation of 100 million pesos (US$1.97 million) from its disaster relief fund to support the Philippines’ fight against the epidemic. President Hong Jixiang set the bar by donating 3 million pesos (US$60,000) which was followed by enthusiastic responses from PCCCII chapters and members. As of April 13, over 120 million pesos of cash donations had been raised. 

  The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has also rendered active help. On April 2, Ambassador Huang Xilian attended a videoconference with representatives of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines (FFCAP), the PCCCII and Chinese General Hospital. They jointly decided to establish an anti-epidemic committee with PCCCII disaster relief fund to support the COVID-19 fight. The anti-epidemic committee consists of four working groups dedicated respectively to logistics, emergency hotline services, coordination of inpatient treatment, and communication with the Philippine government and medical institutions and is staffed by the three associations and the Chinese General Hospital. 

 In the face of unprecedentedly daunting challenges caused by the pandemic, overseas Chinese, including the Filipino-Chinese, are united to wage a war against the common enemy of all mankind, anticipating bathing in sunshine after the long rain.

Focus

SAYING NO TO TRAFFICKING

By Wang Fengjuan

China and the Philippines intensify bilateral anti-drug cooperation

Coconut trees sway in the warm ocean breeze shooting along a stunning stretch of mountains that add peace and tranquility to an array of spacious white courtyard buildings. Equipped with intelligent information systems ensuring security and facilitating wireless intercommunication, the three-hectare facility is a drug treatment and rehabilitation center in Agusan del Sur province in the southern Philippines, also known to locals as the “Window of Hope.” The facility was built with help from China. Officially unveiled and handed to the Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines on April 8, 2019, it was the second Philippine drug rehab center to be built with assistance from the Chinese government, following Soccsksargen Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Sarangani province, completed in 2018. Both are fruits of an agreement between the Chinese and Philippine governments on China-assisted drug rehab projects in the Philippines inked during President Rodrigo Duterte’s first state visit to China in October 2016.

Focus

“The Philippine Department of Health aspires to help more drug users access treatment,” proclaimed DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama. “These two projects provide tremendous support for the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign. Thank you, our Chinese friends.” The well-equipped, cozy establishments help every rehab patient feel at home. 

The 150-bed rehab center in Agusan del Sur province is one of the most modern such facilities in the Philippines. It includes an administration and admission building, dormitories, a visitor’s pavilion, covered court and other buildings. Its pleasant, comfortable surroundings and efficient operations meet the province’s dire need for a modern rehab center. 

The two projects are expected to save many lives in the Philippines and restore the productive livelihood of many people, according to DOH Undersecretary Roger Tong An.

Since taking office, President Duterte’s administration has introduced overwhelming efforts to crack down on drug crimes and embraced intergovernmental cooperation with China on drug control to create a sound and peaceful living environment for peoples living throughout the region. 

In October 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine President Duterte witnessed signing of Protocol on Cooperation between the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of China and the Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) of the Philippines. An annual meeting mechanism was set up, and drug control agencies in both countries have since maintained close communication to facilitate cooperation, joint operations and intelligence sharing. 

“Our re-energized relations with China have led to unprecedented cooperation between our nations on the war against transnational crime,” noted Duterte in his State of the Nation address on July 23, 2018. “Our shared intelligence led to the discovery and dismantling of clandestine shabu laboratories and the arrest of Chinese chemists connected to the Dragon Wu Syndicate organization.” 

In September 2017, China’s Fujian Provincial Drug Law Enforcement Agency detected evidence that a ranking member of the Dragon Wu Syndicate, an international drug ring, was planning to use Chinese workers in its drug factories in the Philippines. Fujian officials immediately informed their Philippine counterparts, and a joint task force was quickly formed. 

Early on the morning of April 12, 2018, a raid was launched, and four drug factories and warehouses were destroyed. A total of 4.6 tons of liquid amphetamines, 481 grams of crystal meth and 13 tons of raw materials and processing tools were seized, and 12 suspects were arrested. In China, Fujian police simultaneously raided the group’s facilities and arrested four suspected drug traffickers. Since 2016, joint operations conducted by the two countries have busted numerous transnational drug rings.

Focus

RECOVERING TOGETHER

By Wang Fengjuan

China-Philippines economic and trade cooperation poised to bounce back after the pandemic

On March 30, the first shipment of 7,656 kilograms of Philippine Hass avocados in 1,408 boxes arrived at Waigaoqiao Port in Shanghai. The arrival marked another successful cooperation program between China and the Philippines on agriculture within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Philippines, a major fruit supplier to China, became the first Asian country to export avocados to China. 

Meanwhile, a total of 323 Jeeps ready for export to the Philippines arrived at Guangzhou Bonded Logistics Park, while export clearance procedures were completed simultaneously at Suidong Customs in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. This export model allows bulk cargo to be declared as a whole even if the cargo is transported into the bonded logistic park in batches, more convenient and efficient than the traditional process, with less financial pressure on manufactures.

According to China Customs statistics, although China and the Philippines compete in the overall trade structure, the countries have considerable complementary advantages. 

Xu Ningning, executive president of China-ASEAN Business Council, reported that in 2019, China-Philippines bilateral trade reached US$60.95 billion, an increase of 9.5 percent year-on-year, with US$40.75 billion of Chinese exports to the Philippines up 16.3 percent year-on-year. He attributed the rapid development of economic and trade relations between the two countries to four factors: 

First, mutual confidence and trust. The strategic partnership between the two sides has been continuously consolidated, providing effective support for economic cooperation. 

Second, new growth momentum. In recent years, the Philippine economy has grown with its active “Build, Build, Build” program. Meanwhile, implementation of the BRI has injected new impetus into bilateral cooperation. 

Third, mutual complementary strengths. China and the Philippines have aligned their development plans and policies to explore complementary strengths in economic and trade cooperation and meet their own needs for development. 

Fourth, open development. The upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) provides both sides with more opportunities to cooperate for new development.

  Cooperation amid Quarantine 

In the first quarter of 2020, China-Philippines bilateral trade contracted 3.6 percent year-on-year, with a 1.2 percent year-on-year drop in Chinese exports to the Philippines and an 8.3 percent year-on-year drop in Chinese imports from the Philippines. Xu attributes the negative growth to the COVID-19 outbreak. When the pandemic gets under control, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is expected to gradually spring back to normalcy. 

Because of the solid foundation, China-Philippines economic and trade cooperation did not stop due to the pandemic. Philippine Minister of Finance Carlos Dominguez remains confident in China’s economic prospects. The Philippine cabinet member pledged to strengthen communication and coordination with the Chinese side to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic on the regular movement of personnel and goods as well as on important cooperation projects. 

The year 2020 is the China-ASEAN Year of Digital Economic Cooperation. Xu considers high-quality and innovative economic cooperation strong support for the strategic partnership between the two sides. He supports actively expanding cooperation in fields of e-commerce, smart cities, 5G networking and building a Digital Silk Road as well as sharing conveniences brought by science, technology and innovation.

Focus

Focus

China and the Philippines are both poised at an important stage of national development after maintaining satisfying economic growth in recent years. Strong complementary traits between the two economies have helped foster closer bilateral trade cooperation.

CHINA-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS IN NUMBERS

By Wang Fengjuan

Robust prospects for bilateral exchange and cooperation

Bilateral Trade

609.5

556.7

512.75

472.08

456.50

444.42

380.66

363.75

322.47

277.62

35.23%

16.16%

12.8%

4.65%

16.75%

2.7%

3.4%

8.6%

8.5%

9.5%

Source: China Customs

（2010-2019）China-Philippines Trade(2010-2019) (US$ billion)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Top 3 Export Destinations of the Philippines 2019

Top 3 Sources of Imports to the Philippines 2019

Focus

Approved Chinese Mainland’s Investment in the Philippines (US$ billion)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Investment

Focus

Chinese Tourist Visits to the Philippines

People-to-people Exchange

Chinese mainland has become the second largest source of foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines after South Korea.

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Focus

People

CHINA A PARTNER NOT A RIVAL

By Wang Fengjuan

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on China’s contributions to the world

The Philippines’ Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, known as the “Iron Lady of Asia,” was once listed among the “Most Powerful Women in the World.” 

From 2001 to 2010, she served as President of the Philippines. In July 2018, Arroyo returned to the political limelight as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives. Over the years, she has continued tireless efforts to advance China-Philippines relations. 

“Looking closely at China’s reform and opening-up can provide insight on China’s historical perspective and long-term planning for national development,” opines Arroyo. She believes that as an advocate of globalization, free trade and openness, China has successfully received the baton of globalization as it continues reform and opening-up. 

“The world should look at China’s rise as an opportunity instead of a threat. Not only has China set a completely new development paradigm, it has also become a partner for cooperation and sharing development experience. China’s rise has been beneficial for the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia. In the new era, China will become increasingly influential in the region and world.” 

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has kindled development opportunities for all countries involved. Such a structure has been popular in the Philippines. President Duterte’s “AmBisyon Natin 2040” vision is highly complementary with the BRI, a framework for opening avenues for multilateral cooperation. Since the Philippines is still coping with slow development of hardware infrastructure such as railways and ports, the BRI has been creating tremendous opportunities for trade and economic cooperation and shared development. 

Arroyo believes only by learning about China’s concerns can others really understand China’s independent foreign policy of peace, which mirrors China’s hope for maintaining a peaceful external environment to sustain its development. 

President Xi’s remarks during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BFA Annual Conference 2018 remain fresh in Arroyo’s mind: “No matter how much progress it has made in development, China will never threaten any other country, never attempt to overturn the existing international system and never seek spheres of influence.” She believes that the world should understand that China’s development presents an opportunity, not a threat. This simple truth. 

 “A Chinese saying goes, ‘Time reveals a person’s heart.’ Let time testify to the significance of China to the world,” she says.

People

‘MOTHERLAND ON MY MIND’

By Wang Fengjuan

The deep passion of a Chinese-Filipino billionaire

When China began pooling its resources to fight the coronavirus in Hubei Province, 86-year-old Lucio Tan grew worried about his motherland and sought to help China. From 2,000 miles away in the Philippines, Tan donated 10 million yuan (US$1.4 million) to the Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China to help provinces including Fujian, Hubei, Liaoning and Jiangxi fight the epidemic. 

“China is now facing a great challenge, and we must help her,” he told his staff.

Lucio Tan was born in Jinjiang, Fujian Province in 1934. He traveled to the Philippines with his parents at age four and began working in a factory at 11. He managed to enroll in the Chemical Engineering Department of Far Eastern University, after which he eventually became the most influential Chinese-Filipino businessman. Known as a king of banking, tobacco and beers, Tan built a business empire featuring interests in Southeast Asia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Papua New Guinea. 

“I grew up with Chinese culture, and it taught me a lot,” Tan notes. Educated in the Philippines, he has always been enthusiastic about learning Chinese culture, and Chinese philosophy has served him well throughout his career. 

As a Chinese-Filipino business magnate, Tan concentrates his efforts on serving the Chinese-Filipino community and promoting friendly China-Philippines exchange as much as he focuses on growing his business.

Since 2001, Tan has been supporting nearly 1,000 Filipino students yearly to participate in a Chinese Summer Camp for Chinese-Filipino Students Searching for Chinese Roots. The program involves a two-month trip to Xiamen, Fujian Province. So far, 15,000 teachers and students have participated in the activity. Accompanied by his wife and participating students, 85-year-old Lucio Tan visited China in April 2019.  

“I want to set a good example for younger generations and encourage them,” explains Tan on how the root-seeking program was developed. Tan considers maintenance of Chinese roots not only his responsibility but also the heart of his strong connection with China. 

The couple spent many of their best years promoting Chinese education. Now, their golden years are highlighted by stronger global inheritance of Chinese culture.

People

UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES

By Tang Wenjun

A Filipino writer's teaching experiences in China across 20 years

Marco Antonio V. Lopez has remarked that if he were to write a memoir, three teaching experiences in China would be an integral part. China left an indelible mark on the life of the renowned Filipino-language novelist, who has twice won the prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, the longest-running literary contest in the Philippines, and has since served as a jury member for it. To Lopez, the word “China” means civilization, friendship and unforgettable memories across two decades. 

“I first came to China out of sheer curiosity,” Lopez said. “It was like living in a movie”. In 1999, Lopez was dispatched by the Department of Filipino at Ateneo de Manila University to teach phonetics, grammar, and other subjects at Peking University’s School of Foreign Languages. It was his first time working abroad, and everything was new. He wandered around hutongs (narrow alleys typical in Beijing), climbed the Great Wall, visited the Forbidden City, and became completely immersed in the cityscapes of Beijing and the charm of Chinese culture. 

His pleasant memories from 1999 drove Lopez to return to China to teach in the spring of 2008. This timing enabled him to witness fulfillment of China’s Olympic dream in Beijing. 

“In 2008, I was able to watch the games in person and felt lucky to witness Filipino athletes compete in China’s arenas—that feeling was great.” Lopez recalls the Chinese people showcasing a modern, prosperous China through the Olympics.

Filipino Taking Root in China

In the summer of 2018, Lopez received yet another offer to teach in China, but at prestigious Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). In 2017, BFSU launched its first undergraduate Filipino program. The same year, Yunnan Minzu University began enrolling students in its Filipino program, increasing the number of institutions of higher learning in China offering Filipino majors to three with Peking University included. In Lopez’s view, his teaching heritage has helped Tagalog education and Philippine studies take root in China.

Over the past 20 years, his teaching philosophy has evolved from drilling phonetics and grammar to introducing more information on Philippine society, history and culture to link language learning with social development. To improve the students’ Filipino skills and deepen their understanding of Philippine culture, he asked students to shoot a short film and compile a collection of their own essays in addition to regular written assignments. 

As one of the most famous Tagalog novelists in the Philippines, Lopez has repeatedly injected Chinese place names and ideas about China into his novels, which he considers manifestations of his friendship with China.

Culture

SHORTCUT TO UNDERSTANDING

Chinese and Philippine media promote trust and cooperation

As people-to-people exchange between China and the Philippines has been gaining momentum in recent years, media in both countries have been communicating more closely, enhancing the mutual understanding between the two countries. 

 Martin Andanar, Secretary of the Philippine Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), illustrated that as close neighbors across the sea, the Philippines and China share affinitive cultures and core values of equality and inclusiveness. He considers it natural for the two countries to communicate more closely and nurture friendly ties between peoples to strengthen bilateral cooperation for common development.

Culture

Upon an invitation from Chinese President Xi, Philippine President Duterte visited China from October 18 to 21, 2016. A joint statement during the visit noted that “Both sides agree to encourage mutual visits of media personnel and exchange of media products as well as cooperation in facilities, technologies and training between Chinese media and Philippine media.” 

Guo Weimin, vice minister of China’s State Council Information Office, commented that under the care and guidance of the two heads of state, Sino-Philippine ties have shifted back to a healthy track of stable development with bilateral cooperation in all fields in full swing. He expressed hope that the two sides would continue to work together to strengthen pragmatic media cooperation. 

Andanar noted that since the signing of the memorandum, Philippine media has carried out cooperation such as content sharing with several Chinese media outlets including Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International (CRI) and China Central Television (part of China Media Group). 

Recent years have brought tremendous progress for China-Philippines media cooperation. Radio programs jointly produced by CRI and Philippine Radio have already hit the air. On June 13, 2018, “China Theater” was launched on PTV. For the first time ever, Filipino viewers had access to Tagalog versions of Chinese film and TV programs such as Flying Feathers, Beijing Love Story, Warrior Kitten and Jimmy and Marco Polo – from History to Modernity. 

On December 9, 2019, Philippine China Network Television (CNTV) announced that it would introduce Chinese-language broadcasts in close collaboration with Fujian Quanzhou Radio and Television Station. Documentaries, TV series and cartoons such as The Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou Stories and Southern Fujian Family Trait are set to broadcast on IBC13, CNTV and other stations in Cebu Province and Davao City. 

In October 2017, China Report Press under CIPG established a content sharing mechanism with The Philippine Star by launching “China Focus” column in the Philippine paper. 

“This is an open and transparent channel for communication between media of the two countries based on solid bilateral relations,” commented Andanar. “Establishing such communication is essential for governments, media professionals and readers to strengthen cooperation and friendship.”

Culture

CENTURIES OF FRIENDSHIP

Chinese descendants of an ancient Filipino king

“I discovered that I was a descendant of Paduka Pahala at a very young age,” recounted An Jing, a 19th-generation descendant of the traveler from what is now the southern Philippines. 

Tradition holds that Pahala’s family remained in China after his demise. An serves as director of publicity at Dezhou Sulu Culture Museum in eastern China’s Shandong Province. “It’s my duty to protect the tomb of the king of Sulu and preserve his deep feelings about China.” The ruler from the ancient kingdom of Sulu has rested in China for more than 600 years, leaving a testament to the timelessness of China-Philippines friendship. Twenty-two generations of his family have protected the tomb as a source of spiritual sustenance and a historical witness of friendship between the two countries. 

By Wang Fengjuan

Culture

 Sulu was an ancient Muslim emirate that ruled the Sulu Archipelago of the southwestern Philippines. Over 600 years ago, Chinese navigator Zheng He made three visits to Manila Bay, Visayas and Sulu during his voyages to the Western Seas. Historical records show that China had had contact with the Philippines as early as the 3rd Century. Economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries became very active in the Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties (618-1368).

 In 1417, 12 years after Zheng He’s first voyage to the Western Seas, Sulu East King Paduka Pahala, alongside two other rulers known as “West King” and “Cave King,” respectively, led a 340-strong high-level delegation including senior officials, family and close relatives on a voyage across the seas to pay tribute to Yongle, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty who reigned from 1403 to 1424, opening a historical chapter of “head-of-state diplomacy.” Emperor Yongle hosted a grand state banquet and exchanged gifts with the king. The delegation was one of the largest foreign delegations ever hosted by the Ming court. 

 King Paduka Pahala and his entourage stayed in Beijing for 27 days and reached consensus with Emperor Yongle to promote friendship for generations to come before sailing on the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou towards home. Upon arrival in Dezhou, however, the king fell seriously ill and quickly died from an unknown disease. He was buried there with a luxuriant royal funeral and full honors for a foreign ruler. Emperor Yongle personally wrote the inscriptions on his tombstone. The king’s eldest son returned to Sulu to succeed him on the throne while two other sons and some family members stayed in Dezhou. His second son married with a local Muslim woman. Their descendants have since thrived in a village known as Beiying in Dezhou.

 “Across multiple dynasties, the Chinese government has taken good care of the tomb of Sulu East King as well as his descendants,” commented An. During the reign of Yongzheng (1722-1735), the fifth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, another ruler of Sulu visited China and requested that the Qing court grant the descendants of the East King Chinese citizenship and give them the Chinese surnames Wen and An (the first names of the king’s second son Won Hala and third son An Doulu who stayed in Dezhou). Pahala’s descendants married local Muslim Hui villagers in Beiying, a village with distinct cultural heritage and tradition. 

 Over the last 600 years, more than 5,000 descendants living around China have been traced to the kingdom of Sulu.

Over the last 45 years of diplomatic relations, Philippine diplomats, members of the Sulu royal family, officials of Sulu Province and Philippine tourists have visited Dezhou to pay respect to the East King of Sulu. In June 2005, some Dezhou descendants of Paduka Pahala visited Sulu Archipelago to search for their roots. They were warmly welcomed by their relatives there. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, then president of the Philippines, had a cordial meeting with them. 

 In 2013, Princess Miriam Donau Kilam, a descendant of Paduka Pahala in the Philippines, made a pilgrimage to the final resting place of the former king of Sulu. “The Princess was quite emotional upon seeing her ancestor’s tomb,” recalled An. “She prayed and moved slowly around the tomb to soak up all the details.” The princess has made three such visits and returned with a wealth of relevant information. 

An hosts visits to the tomb by relatives from the Philippines every year. She has been impressed with each visit and stayed in touch with relatives. 

Upon an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited China from October 18 to 21, 2016. A joint statement between the two governments noted that “2017 marks 600 years of friendly contacts between the Sultanate of Sulu and China, and the Philippines and China expressed interest in holding relevant commemorative activities.” 

 A year later, An and some other representatives of Pahala’s descendants in Dezhou visited the Philippines to attend activities in commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 600th anniversary of the Sulu king’s journey to China. “Fraternal bonds connect the people of our two countries,” declared An. “We should cherish this chapter of history and turn the page on a new chapter of friendly relations between the two countries.”

Picturing The Times

BEAUTIFUL DAYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

A glimpse at China-Philippines friendship and partnership

May 1, 2017: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (front right) receives a cap from Hu Jie (front left), captain of China’s missile destroyer Changchun, aboard the Chinese warship docked in Davao City wharf of the Philippines. The Chinese navy made a three-day friendly visit to the Philippines.

Picturing The Times

September 7, 2008: Spectators from the Philippines pose in front of the National Stadium (“Bird’s Nest”) in Beijing, the main stadium of 2008 Olympic Games.

Picturing The Times

May 5, 2013: Former NBA star Yao Ming greets young basketball players during a visit to Manila. For two days, Yao’s Shanghai Sharks played exhibition games against Philippine basketball teams.

Picturing The Times

Traditional performers from Mindanao Island of the Philippines interact with spectators during the China-ASEAN Drama Week which kicked off in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous.

Opinion

After 45 years, the Philippines and China have traveled an incredible distance together. Despite ups and downs, the two countries remain committed to maintaining friendship for years to come. Deepening this friendship and broadening cooperation are the current and future direction of Philippines-China relations.

Dr. Rommel C. Banlaoi is president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies and chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research.

Areas of cooperation between the two countries have gradually expanded from politics to livelihood as the surge of vitality in people-to-people exchange inspired the term “Philippine Model,” which refers to shelving disputes in favor of cooperation targeting actual conditions. Political cooperation drives people-to-people exchange, and people-to-people exchange builds bridges of communication facilitating the development of bilateral relations.

Wu Jiewei is a professor at School of Foreign Languages, Peking University.

Endeavours by China and the Philippines under the BRI and “Build, Build, Build” program are expected to eliminate the infrastructure deficit and break the vicious cycle of underdevelopment to pave a path to the bright future outlined in Ambisyon Natin 2040 and a community of shared future for mankind.

Hao Nan holds a Master’s Degree from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and serves as an Assistant Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute.

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