As China and the Philippines celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, both nations are reflecting on decades of cultural and economic exchanges, even as tensions over the disputed West Philippine Sea threaten to overshadow their longstanding partnership.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, speaking at this year’s Chinese New Year reception on Sunday, highlighted the enduring people-to-people ties and economic partnerships between the two countries.
“China and the Philippines share historical memories and people-to-people bonds,” the ambassador said. “Fifty years ago, visionary leaders of the two countries ushered in a new chapter in our bilateral ties. I’d like to avail myself of this opportunity to pay tribute to the successive generations of leaders of both countries and all those who have contributed to the development of bilateral relations.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community in promoting bilateral relations, which have spanned trade, culture, and diplomacy.
Beyond the New Year celebrations, both countries have seen a marked increase in cultural exchanges. Huang pointed to the global appeal of Chinese culture, citing figures like vlogger Li Ziqi and digital trends such as TikTok, which have introduced Chinese traditions to a global audience. He emphasized that such exchanges help foster mutual understanding and friendship, dismantling barriers and prejudice.
“TikTok ‘refugees’ are flocking to and lingering on Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu. And ‘China Travel’ has become a global trend. China vlogger Li Ziqi has made a strong comeback by releasing video clips about Chinese culture, making her overseas fans jubilant. The game “Black Myth: Wukong” has encouraged global players to dive into the Chinese classic Journey to the West. And the list goes on,” he noted.
“We can observe that people from all over the world are enthusiastic and eager to learn more about China and Chinese culture, and we hope that such exchanges can help break through the ‘information cocoon’ and ‘wall of prejudice’ and promote mutual understanding and friendship,” he continued.
Looking ahead, the Chinese ambassador expressed optimism about further enhancing bilateral ties, particularly through shared economic goals and people-to-people connections.
“I look forward to seeing both sides remain committed to the original aspiration, answer to the call of our two peoples, and work together to promote the bilateral ties, so as to bring even greater benefits to the 1.5 billion people of our two countries together,” Huang said.
Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos conveyed her New Year greetings to the Chinese Embassy and the Filipino-Chinese community, underscoring the strong bilateral relations between the two nations despite current challenges.
“I would like to convey my sincerest greetings and best wishes… The strong bilateral relations between our two countries has expanded through decades, and they truly reflect the long-standing friendship and cooperation between our two countries,” she said in a video message.
The Chinese New Year reception, held at Shangri-La The Fort in Manila to mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake, also showcased traditional Chinese culture. Guests were presented with red scarves embroidered with symbols of good fortune, reflecting the themes of happiness, renewal, and optimism central to the holiday.
The event was hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines (FFCAP), and the Philippine-China Chamber of Commerce Industry Inc. (PCCCII).