Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China on 9 June 1975, the bilateral partnership between the two countries has reached unprecedented levels in terms of politico/security and regional cooperation, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which have benefited our two countries and peoples. As stakeholders in the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, the two countries have also cooperated closely in various regional and international issues that have profound effects to the stability and economic development of the region.
In April 2005, during the state visit of President Hu Jintao to the Philippines, he and then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo agreed to establish a strategic and cooperative relationship for peace and development between the Philippines and China. At that time, they both referred to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and China as enjoying a “golden age of partnership” due to mutual efforts by the two countries. Since then, bilateral relations have been surging ahead in a comprehensive manner, with economic ties serving as the locomotive for cooperation. To underscore the importance of China to the Philippines, there are now seven Philippine foreign service posts in China – five in the mainland (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen and Chongqing) and two in the Special Administrative Regions (SARs) (Hong Kong and Macau).
Over the past 36 years, Philippines-China bilateral relations continue to strengthen. They are multi-faceted and involve the three branches of government – executive, legislative and judiciary, and the various sectors of society. Since 1975, the two countries have concluded almost 100 bilateral agreements that cover a wide spectrum – political, defense, trade and investments, judicial cooperation, infrastructure development, energy cooperation, air services, cooperation in combating transnational crimes, consular cooperation, tourism, culture, sports, media exchange, agriculture, science and technology, sister cities, and people to people exchanges – reflecting the breadth and depth and the growing cooperation between the Philippines and China.
On 29 October 2009, during the official visit to the Philippines of Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Yang Jiechi, the two countries signed the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Cooperation between the Philippines and China, an action-oriented roadmap that would further deepen cooperation in all fields and provide strategic direction for long-term growth of Philippines-China relations for the benefit of the Filipino and Chinese peoples.
The Joint Action Plan, a five-year agreement covering almost all areas of cooperation, from political, economic and trade, cultural and people-to-people relations, will also serve as a guide for all agencies of both countries in the implementation of policies and programs to elevate bilateral cooperation in all areas to a higher and more comprehensive level.
Philippines-China economic and trade cooperation continues to serve as the engine that drives Philippines-China relations to greater heights. According to Chinese figures, bilateral trade reached US$30.6 billion in 2007, achieving a target set for 2010 three years ahead of schedule. In 2010, China was the Philippines’ third largest trading partner, the 9th top foreign investor, and 4th largest source of tourists.
On 1 September 2011, during the State Visit to China of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III, the two governments signed issued a joint statement reiterating their commitment to jointly pursue a long-term and stable relationship of strategic cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. (Please click here for the complete text of the Joint Statement.)
VISITS TO CHINA BY PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTS:
President Ferdinand E. Marcos: 7 June 1975
President Corazon C. Aquino: 14 April 1988
President Fidel V. Ramos: 25 April 1993
President Joseph E. Estrada: 16 May 2000
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: 29 October 2001;
1-3 September 2004; 27 October-2 November 2006;
21 April 2007; 5-6 June 2007; 1-2 October 2007; 30 March -1 April 2008,
7-10 August 2008; 23-27 October 2008, 8-9 June 2010
President Benigno S. Aquino III, 30 August – 2 September 2011
VISITS TO THE PHILIPPINES BY CHINESE PRESIDENTS/ PREMIERS
Premier Zhao Ziyang: 6 August 1981
Premier Li Peng: 13 December 1990
President Jiang Zemin: 23 November 1996
Premier Zhu Rongji: 26 November 1999
President Hu Jintao 26-28 April 2005
Premier Wen Jiabao 15-16 January 2007
PHILIPPINES-CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONS (2010)
Philippine Exports to China: US$5.7 billion
Top 5 Products Exported by the Philippines to China:
1. Electrical products
2. Copper cathodes and sections of cathodes
3. Nickel ores and concentrates
4. Other coal
5. Copper ores and concentrates
Philippine Imports from China: US$ 4.61 billion
Top 5 Products Imported by the Philippines from China:
- Parts and accessories for office machines
- Liquefied petroleum gas
- ceramic products
Source: National Statistics Office of the Philippines
Philippine Investments in China:
US$ 2.78 billion
Source: Ministry of Commerce of China
PRC Investments in the Philippines:
Source: Board of Investments of the Philippines
Official Development Assistance from China: US$1.27 billion (2002-2010)
Chinese Tourists to the Philippines: 187,446 tourists
Philippine Tourists to China: 828,300