Let us work together towards a better future

By Consul & Head of Post Zhou Youbin

On June 9, 1975, former President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos from Ilocos Norte paid a successful state visit to China that opened the door for exchanges between China and the Philippines. President Marcos and China's Premier Zhou Enlai jointly signed a communique which established the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and over the past 45 years, this bilateral relation have gone through ups and downs but kept moving forward.

Since 2016, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Rodrigo Duterte, China-Philippines relations have witnessed a turn-around, consolidation and elevation, and entered a new golden era. The two countries have elevated our relationship into one of comprehensive, strategic cooperation. And through practical cooperation, fruitful results have been yielded bringing benefits to both countries and their peoples. Moreover, the exchanges and cooperation between the North Luzon and China have made great progress showing great potential and broad prospects for development.

 

A thousand-year friendship between China and the Philippines

A thousand years ago, historical books of the Song and Yuan Dynasties in China have already recorded words about the Philippines. The two countries have already begun to conduct people and business exchanges leading to the emergence of many friendly envoys. For example, more than 600 years ago, the Chinese navigator Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty visited Manila, Visayas and Sulu during his voyages, while the descendants of East King of Sulu, who led a delegation for a goodwill visit to China in 1417, are also still living in Dezhou, Shandong Province with the family names of An and Wen, imparting a good story regarding the history of China-Philippines friendship.

Thanks to our geographic proximity, kinship amity and cultural affinity, the North Luzon is always in close connection with China. In 1978, Baguio City and Hangzhou City were established as the first ever sisterhood cities between China and the Philippines. Eventually, it was followed by Ilocos Norte and Shandong Province, Laoag City and Guangxi Laibin City, and Ilocos Sur and Hubei Province. Furthermore, there have been intentions to become sisterhood provinces and cities among Pangasinan and Sichuan Province, Vigan City and Changsha City, Baguio City and Nanjing City. These sisterhood provinces and cities interact like good friends who visit each other, help each other, and benefit each other. Other provinces and cities in the north also have the geographical advantage for easier exchanges and cooperation with China.

The interactions within a thousand years have also led to deeper cultural exchanges. As such, during Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, Filipinos and Chinese are seen together dancing with dragons and lions, singing Chinese songs, performing Chinese dances, displaying Chinese Kung Fu and saying "Kung Hei Fat Choi" to each other. Traditional Chinese food such as siopao, siomai, buchi and spring rolls are also being shared in the normal life of Filipinos. Hard-working Chinese communities are also doing business and setting up factories contributing to the development of local economy. Chinese and Filipinos greet each other during festivals and celebrations, cooperate with one another and help each other when disasters happen. Truly, with a thousand years of memory, the friendship is carried into this new era.

 

Bilateral cooperation benefits both peoples

The North Luzon boasts its beautiful cultural and natural landscapes, rich resources and hospitable people. Increasingly, the region has attracted lots of Chinese to travel, study, do business and invest. This has become an important access for exchanges and partnership between China and the Philippines. Having a more upgraded bilateral relation, people of the North Luzon received more tangible benefits.

Undeniably, the smooth trading between the two countries also improved people’s lives. Statistics show that the bilateral trade volume between China and the Philippines have increased from 65 million US dollars in 1975 to 60.95 billion US dollars in 2019, with an increase of more than 930 times. China has become the largest trading partner, largest source of imports and fourth largest export market of the Philippines.

As seen daily, more and more fruits such as bananas, pineapples, and mangoes produced in the Philippines are presented on dinner tables in China, while a number of “Made in China" products such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Vivo are very popular among Filipinos.

People-to-people exchanges have also boosted the relations of the two countries. In 2019, a total of 1.74 million Chinese mainland tourists visited the Philippines, with an increase of 38.58 percent over 2018. The tourism data from several provinces of the northern region show that Chinese tourists ranked first among foreign tourists’ arrivals. Truly, the natural scenery such as the Summer Capital Baguio, the Batanes archipelago and the Hundred Islands National Park as well as historical sites like Paoay Church, Vigan City and Banaue Rice Terraces which were recognized as the world cultural heritages have attracted a lot of Chinese tourists. Notably, several world-class cruise ships that set off from China have also arrived at the ports of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur last year. At the same time, more and more Filipinos are traveling, studying, and working in China. This increasingly frequent personnel exchanges have promoted mutual understanding and provided strong impact for the development and progress of the two countries.

Likewise, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China's 'Belt and Road' initiative has been effectively aligned with the Philippines ''Build, Build, Build' program. In North Luzon, cooperation on various projects have been progressing smoothly. Over the years, Chinese companies have successively undertaken large projects like the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project in Cagayan and Kalinga, Solar Farm in Ilocos Norte, Banaoang Pump Irrigation Project in Ilocos Sur, and San Roque Dam in Pangasinan. These projects have played an important role in promoting regional development and the well-being of the people.

All throughout, the Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Laoag has been committed to promoting local exchanges and cooperation between two countries by helping in the development of local economic and livelihood.

The Consulate has donated hybrid rice seeds and provided technical training to farmers; built classrooms for schools and donated computers, audio equipment and teaching materials; donated hospital beds and medical equipment to hospitals; donated X-ray machine to Laoag airport for speeding up clearance; jointly finance the establishment of China-Philippines Friendship Parks in Baguio and Ilocos Norte; donated an outdoor LED-Board to the City of Laoag; donated relief materials to the victims of different calamities; funded the Filipino-Chinese community in purchasing fire trucks in Isabela, Santiago, and Baguio; organized Chinese art troupe to perform in the region; donated dragon boats and jointly held 'Paoay Lake' national dragon boat race and many more. As the only diplomatic agency in the northern region, the Chinese Consulate in Laoag is willing and will continue to contribute in the promotion of local friendship between China and the Philippines.

 

Working hand in hand against pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak is the most serious global crisis that humanity is facing since World War II. The virus respects no borders, which is the common enemy of mankind. A Filipino proverb states, "Single-leaf can't be a broom, only when you work together that you can win.” Indeed, during this pandemic, China and the Philippines have worked together to help each other.

In the most difficult times of China's fight against this pandemic, President Duterte said "China has been kind to us, we can only also show the same favor to them.” Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. specially visited Consulate's office to express his support for China and its people. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc recorded a video and posted in his official Facebook page saying “we stand with you in this crisis and we support you”, and Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson through a letter expressed that "in these challenging times, we are with you.” In addition, Filipinos together with the Filipino-Chinese Community have donated money and goods to China. And I have also received a lot of encouragement and concern from local friends. As such, these warm-hearted acts greatly encouraged and moved Chinese people.

In the same manner, China instantly offered help when the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines has intensified.

Despite domestic pressure, China immediately donated a large number of anti-epidemic supplies, sent a medical team to share treatment experience and assist Philippines. As of the end of May, Chinese central government has donated 250,000 test kits, 310,000 medical masks, 40,000 N95 masks, 33,000 protective clothing, 5,000 medical isolation masks and 80 ventilators to the Philippines. Chinese provinces and enterprises also tried their best to help North Luzon. For example, Shandong Province donated 1.8 tons of medical supplies to Ilocos Norte, Hubei Enterprises donated masks to Ilocos Sur as well as Sichuan Province to Pangasinan. Huawei company also provided technical support for remote CT diagnosis and treatment system to Baguio City's Hospital, and other Chinese companies donated a large amount of medical supplies and food relief to the North Luzon. On its part, the Chinese Consulate in Laoag also provided medical and food aid to more than 10 provinces and cities and has done its best to provide support and assistance.

A Chinese proverb states, "Only when it grows cold do we see that the pine and cypress are the last to fade; only when we get into trouble do we know who our genuine friends are”. In other words, "a friend in need is a friend indeed." Hence, it is in this joint fight against the pandemic that we have witnessed the strength and warmth of friendship. China is confident that the Philippines will overcome this battle and will resume its normal economic and social life soon.

Over the past 45 years, the friendship between China and the Philippines, which has been rooted in a long history, has yielded many fruits. Whether facing prosperity or adversity, whether in the face of disasters or a pandemic, China and the Philippines have always been helping each other and working together to compose a song of friendship and praise.

Looking forward to a new era, it is with confidence that the friendship between China and the Philippines will continue to deepen. This friendship will continue to be full of new strength and spirit.

China and the Philippines will always be good friends, good neighbors, and good partners. May prosperity and friendship between China and the Philippines be everlasting! Let us join hands and work together towards a better future!