THE CURRENT
RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN CHINA
AND THE
PHILIPPINES
GROUP MEMBERS:
 DARLYN MAY SAROL
 MELODY CERDON
 JED DALUYO
 JULIUS ASPE
 JUAN MIGUEL MONTEJO
The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China was established
on 9 June 1975. Since then, the bilateral partnership between the two
countries has reached unprecedented levels in terms of political/security
and regional cooperation, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, as well as
cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which have benefited the two
countries and peoples
Chinese Political, Economic and Social
Influence
in the Philippines
2
Economic factor
Chinese Investments Surge Under Duterte
Total approved foreign investments, in
millions of USD
China has also been the
Philippines’ top trading
partner under Duterte’s
watch. Imports from
China also peaked in
2019 at $24.5 billion,
higher than total goods
from the US and Japan
combined.
Over the years, Duterte’s decision
to pivot to China has seen tourist
arrivals from that country more
than double. Since 2008, China
had always been among the top
five countries in terms of foreign
tourists visiting the Philippines,
but after Duterte took office,
arrivals increased significantly
year-on-year from 675,663 in
2016 to 1,743,309 in 2019.
Vaccine donations
In the realm of vaccine
diplomacy, China scored
early wins in developing
countries, including the
Philippines. China was
first to give Filipinos
access to COVID-19
vaccines after lapses in
paperwork and the
absence of an indemnity
agreement delayed the
announced arrival of
Pfizer and BioNTech’s
shot from the West.
Political Factor
The current policy of the president of the Philippines
aims for remedying relations between the Philippines
and China at the expense of the former's relationship
with the United States, while the current policy of the
president of China aims for greater influence over the
Philippines, and the region in general, while combating
American influence.
Philippines-China Relations: Beyond the
Territorial Disputes
Philippines-China relations have lately
been dominated by the territorial
disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
Binondo is the center of
commerce and trade of
Manila, where all types of
business run by FilipinoChinese thrive.
China also influences
traditions in the
Philippines, such as the
celebration of Chinese
New Year, and also
popular food, such as
noodles, pancit, and sweet
and sour dishes.
Thank
you !