Q：This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. How would you evaluate the development of bilateral ties over the past five decades? Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for this relationship in the next 50 years?
China and the Philippines are neighbors joined by the sea. Our peoples have been friends to one another for over a millennium. The diplomatic relations, as you said, was established fifty years ago as a historic decision by the elder generation of leaders from the two countries.
This bold move, in defiance of its Cold War background, certainly was a new page in China-Philippines relations turned with exceptional strategic vision and political courage. We have today witnessed, as a result, unprecedented win-win cooperation and people-to-people exchanges across various fields despite ups and downs in our relationship, bringing real and immense benefit to our peoples.
Confucius once said that a man understands his mandate of Heaven at age fifty. For bilateral relations between countries, this coming of age means understanding the mandate of the people. For us as neighbors, the friendship between us is in the fundamental interest of our peoples and embodies the shared aspirations of the vast majority in both countries.
It is well noted that some politicians attempted to play the “China card” or exploit China-related issues for personal political agenda but lost their bid. Those who believe in and advocate for friendly cooperation with China and managing differences through dialogue and consultation won wide public support. Such is the choice of the people--a voice that must not be ignored. To understand such mandate of Heaven is to heed the voice of the people and go with it.
After half a century, turmoils combined with transformations once again become theme of our world. Likewise, China-Philippines relations are at a key juncture. Whither our relations? Many people are soul searching. Among them, a long participant in, and witness to China-Philippines relations, the former First Lady Madam Imelda Marcos. In May last year, she attended a reception at the Chinese Embassy commemorating the 50th anniversary of her first visit to China. The former First Lady repeatedly said “friendship for peace” as she greeted and bid farewell to me and other guests of the two countries.
All in all, the 50th anniversary is a crucially important occasion for us to reflect on the original aspiration that brought us together, to draw wisdom and strength from our shared history, and listen to the voices of our peoples. For the next 50 years in our relations, together, we need to overcome distractions, stay committed to the right course in our bilateral relationship, and work to return China-Philippines relations to a sound and stable track--one that will better serve the well-being of our combined 1.5 billion people.
Q: Ambassador, you have emphasized on different occasions the importance of listening to the voice of the people when we handle China-Philippines relations. Can you please elaborate on the idea “It’s the people, always”?
When we say that China and the Philippines are neighbors, we’re referring not only to geographic proximity but also to the maritime routes that have long connected our two peoples. These bustling sea lanes—traveled by ships, merchants, and envoys—have linked our peoples not just for decades or centuries, but for over a thousand years. In the Ming Dynasty, over six hundred years ago, China’s renowned navigator, Zheng He, undertook seven major voyages, visiting the Manila bay, the Visayas, and Sulu multiple times, spreading messages of friendship and cooperation. In turn, the East King of Sulu, bearing the goodwill of his people, embarked on a reciprocal visit of friendship to China, giving rise to many well-known and cherished stories that are told to this day.
For generations, people from China’s southeastern coastal regions have crossed the seas to settle in this land of pleasant climate, where they lived in harmony and pursued development alongside local communities. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of this archipelago, they made great sacrifices in the struggle for national independence and liberation, and played an important role in the country's economic and social development. These contributions and sacrifices deserve full recognition and deep appreciation.
The national hero and founding father of the Philippines, José Rizal, had ancestral roots in Jinjiang of China’s Fujian province. Likewise, Ye Fei, a founding general of the People’s Republic of China, was born in Quezon Province. Both are testaments to this deep-rooted history and remain a shared source of pride for the peoples of our two countries.
Looking back on the past 50 years of China-Philippines relations, people-to-people exchanges have remained resilient despite various twists and turns. The enduring friendship between our peoples reflects a collective will—something that cannot be reversed by any external force.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, individuals from all walks of life in the Philippines have spontaneously organized a wide range of people-to-people and cultural activities, including performances, youth exchanges, photo exhibitions, a commemorative logo design contest, a short video competition, and the publication of special journal editions.
The Philippine Embassy in China has also hosted a variety of celebrations in Beijing, featuring music, cuisine, traditional martial arts, and introduction of books that share the stories of Filipino people living and building businesses in China. These events were warmly welcomed by the Chinese public.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, in collaboration with local friendship associations and the Chinese Filipino community, launched several initiatives, such as the “Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding”, to honor 12 Filipinos who have made outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral relations, and the “Chinese Cultural Courier@the Philippines” to highlight the deep bonds between our peoples.
Through these commemorative events, we have felt the genuine goodwill and expectations of our peoples for a lasting friendship. We have also gained a deeper understanding of how people-to-people exchanges form the bedrock of China-Philippines relations. Indeed, it’s always the people that is the defining essence of our relations: the foundation is laid by our peoples, the story is written by our peoples, and the future will undoubtedly be created by our peoples—together.
Q: Maritime disputes remain a challenge in China-Philippines relations. In your view, how should the two sides work together to manage maritime differences appropriately and prevent them from affecting the broader relationship?
The South China Sea issue is complex and sensitive since it involves multiple claimants and bears upon territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation. One could expect to strike a raw nerve if he or she does not toe a fine line in handling the issue.
It was with that sensitivity and sophistication that, as early as in the 1980s, China’s late leader, Mr. Deng Xiaoping, proposed the principle of “搁置争议，共同开发（gē zhì zhēng yì, gòng tóng kāi fā）” which means “setting aside difference and pursuing joint development.”
To put history in perspective, in June, 1986, Mr. Deng first talked about “leaving aside the issue of the Nansha Islands for a while” to visiting Philippine Vice President Salvador Laurel, and that“We should not let this issue stand in the way of China's friendship with the Philippines and with other countries.”
Mr. Deng brought it up again when he met with visiting Philippine President Corazon Aquino in April, 1988. Mr. Deng said on that occasion that “In view of the friendly relations between our two countries, we can set aside this issue for the time being and take the approach of pursuing joint development.” Both President Aquino and Vice President Laurel responded positively to Mr. Deng’s initiative.
Nonetheless, Mr. Deng stood his ground on China's sovereignty over the Nansha Islands. Until issues concerning territorial disputes are ultimately resolved, all parties should exercise restraint and avoid actions that could complicate or escalate the situation, or undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In fact, the South China Sea maintained general peace and stability with the joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries. Tensions in some disputed waters of the South China Sea lately were not provoked by China and certainly not what China hopes for. The United States has played a disgraceful role. Certain figures in the Philippine defense and security apparatus seems to believe that the so-called “ironclad commitment” of the United States could be the shield of their provocation and infringement in the South China Sea. In response, China has had to act firmly to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, in the meantime with rationality and restraint.
Indeed, while the South China Sea issue poses real challenges, it does not define the entirety of our relationship—it is just one part of a much broader picture. As Mr. Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, a Filipino research fellow, pointed out in a recent article that merits attention from the Philippine side: for Manila to make the sea row front and centre of ties is a tragedy of its foreign policy. Allowing security issues to dominate relations is neither wise nor strategic.
The key question in tackling the South China Sea disputes is not about taking sides between China or the Philippines, but rather about choosing between cooperation and confrontation, between dialogue and conflict. In this regard, several other ASEAN claimant countries have adopted a more constructive approach to maritime issues with China. To the Philippines, the questions are: How to put the South China Sea issue in proper perspective within the overall framework of bilateral ties with China? Isn’t addressing economic challenges and improving people’s livelihoods a more urgent priority than hyping up so-called external threats? How to balance relations under the banner of independent foreign policy?
Senate President Francis Escudero articulated his stance during the speeches at a recent event commemorating the golden jubilee of our diplomatic relations, that being independent does NOT mean necessarily NOT relying on our neighbors, being independent NEVER means fighting our neighbors. Being independent means pursuing the interests of our country in the best and most peaceful way and means possible.
We hope that the Philippines will proceed from the fundamental interests of its nation and people, work together with China, return to the right path of managing differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly safeguard China-Philippines relations, as well as regional peace and stability.
Q: What important role do you believe Chinese Filipinos and overseas Chinese have played in fostering the friendship between China and the Philippines?
The peoples of China and the Philippines share deep-rooted ties and bonds of kinship. For generations, Chinese Filipinos and overseas Chinese have made remarkable contributions to the country’s struggle for independence, and to its economic, social, and cultural development. They are not just participants, but true stakeholders and rightful members of this vibrant and diverse society. In this regard, may I echo the book event my counterpart in Beijing, Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz, creatively organized to highlight Filipino success stories--Made It In China? I would say, a vast number of Chinese Filipinos have made it in the Philippines.
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of China-Philippines Diplomatic Relations and the 24th China-Philippines Friendship Day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis Escudero, and incoming Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro attended multiple celebratory events and delivered warm remarks.
President Marcos Jr. noted that in all endeavors of relief efforts in times of crisis, educational initiatives, cultural exchanges, and economic ventures, the Filipino Chinese community has been a reliable foundation for bridging differences between communities, laying the groundwork of growth, and harnessing the strength of collective action. Through their dedication, Chinese-Filipino heritage has now become an essential thread in the fabric of the national identity.
These remarks reflect the indispensable contributions and invaluable role of Chinese Filipinos and overseas Chinese in the Philippines’ national development, while also offering meaningful reflections on the future of China-Philippines relations.
We have also noted that, as both sides commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Chinese Filipino and overseas Chinese community in the Philippines has expressed heartfelt hopes for “everlasting friendship” between these two countries and peoples. We call on the Philippine side to earnestly listen to the shared aspirations of our two peoples, work with China in the same direction, and ensure that all our hard work is for an even better bilateral relation and for benefiting the peoples that such a relation is meant to serve.