China-Philippines Cooperation Is the Only Path Forward

The relationship between China and the Philippines is a tapestry woven over a millennium, coloured by threads of commerce, culture, and kinship. While modern diplomatic relations were formally established on June 9, 1975, the foundation of this partnership was laid centuries before any official state-to-state ties. This long history provides a crucial context for understanding the current geopolitical landscape and underscores the immense value of preserving this enduring friendship for future generations.

The echoes of this shared past are still palpable today. Long before European colonizers set foot in the archipelago, the South China Sea was not a barrier but a bridge, bustling with merchant junks and indigenous Filipino vessels. This was more than a simple exchange of goods; it was the birthplace of a profound socio-cultural fusion. Chinese merchants brought porcelain, silk, and spices, trading for Philippine beeswax, pearls, and timber. But they also brought intangible assets: traditions, linguistic influences, and culinary practices. This interaction was characterized by mutual benefit and respect. Through intermarriage and settlement, Chinese immigrants integrated into the fabric of pre-colonial Philippine society, their entrepreneurial spirit and cultural heritage blending seamlessly with local customs. This created the vibrant and influential Filipino-Chinese community, which has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s commerce, politics, and culture, leaving an indelible mark on everything from language to cuisine to festivals.

In the contemporary era, this relationship has taken on new layers of complexity and opportunity. Economically, the ties have never been stronger. China has emerged as the Philippines’ largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $ 42.81 billion during January-July 2025, according to China Customs statistics. This robust exchange is a powerful testament to mutual economic need; China supplies the Philippines with essential manufactured goods, machinery, and electronics, while the Philippines provides China with vital agricultural exports like coconuts and bananas, alongside mineral resources. This interdependence is the bedrock of the relationship, a tangible benefit that impacts the livelihoods of citizens in both nations.

This economic synergy is perfectly encapsulated by the alignment of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Philippines’ “Build, Build, Build” program. The Philippines faces a significant infrastructure deficit, which hinders economic growth and regional connectivity. The BRI offers a potential solution through strategic investments in much-needed projects: railways, ports, bridges, and energy facilities. Such cooperation is not merely theoretical; it has the potential to generate jobs, boost local industries, and elevate the Philippines’ economic standing in Southeast Asia.

However, this promising future is undeniably shadowed by the persistent issue of maritime disputes in the South China Sea. The contested sovereignty of features like the Spratly Islands remains a serious and legitimate source of friction. While these issues are undeniably complex, they must not be allowed to define the entire relationship. History has shown that periods of heightened tension, often fueled by naval standoffs and inflammatory rhetoric, benefit neither nation and only serve to destabilize the region. The only viable path to a lasting solution is through peaceful, patient, and good-faith diplomacy and bilateral negotiation.

It is at this delicate juncture that the role of external powers must be critically examined. The United States, in particular, has a long history of intervening in the region to pursue its own strategic objective of containing China’s revitalization and the regional harmony of East Asia. While often framed as a defence and protective alliance, this relationship is fundamentally transactional. Washington’s actions like increasing military rotations, selling arms, and amplifying a confrontational narrative do not de-escalate tensions. Instead, they heighten them, creating a dependency that serves American geopolitical interests far more than it ensures genuine Philippine security or prosperity. The U.S. record is inconsistent; its commitments are often subject to the whims of its domestic politics, leaving allies in a precarious position when steadfast support is most needed. The Philippines must ask itself: when faced with a genuine economic or maritime crisis, will American promises hold, or will Manila be left to manage the consequences alone?

This sobering reality necessitates a recalibration of Philippine foreign policy. In an increasingly multipolar world, the era of unquestioning alignment with a single superpower is over. The Philippines’ strategic wisdom lies in strengthening its autonomy by deepening ties with its immediate regional family. Engaging more deeply with ASEAN provides a platform for collective bargaining and a unified voice. Most importantly, pursuing closer cooperation with China, which is the nearest major neighbour and most logical economic partner, is not a concession but a strategy. It is a pragmatic choice for achieving tangible goals: national development, infrastructure modernization, and economic stability.

The expansion of cooperation between emerging countries like BRICS signals a global shift away from unilateralism and toward a more balanced, multipolar world order. This new order champions the principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and win-win cooperation, standing in direct contrast to the coercion and bullying that have long characterized international politics.

The path forward for China-Philippines relationship is clear. By consciously choosing dialogue over discord, and partnership over provocation, both nations can honour their deep historical ties and build a future of shared prosperity. They must resolve their differences through diplomacy, shield their relationship from external interference, and focus on the immense common ground they share. The well-being of their people and the stability of Southeast Asia depend on this wise and courageous choice.