GECLWR-18 - The Life and Works of Rizal

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Mid-Year 2022
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Prof. Lilibeth B. Cruz

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Module 4 Assignment 1

Acosta, Christian Jay B.

Using both printed and electronics media, research on the current relationship between China
and the Philippines. Consider the economic, political, and social factors. Discuss the impact of
Chinese culture on contemporary Philippine society and compare it with the impact of Chinese
culture on 19th century Philippines.

The conflict regarding the territorial and maritime claims on the south China Sea between
the Philippines and China is known globally which affects the social relationship between the two
countries. The situation escalated when the naval standoff in the Scarborough Shoal in April 2012
takes in place. Additionally, the issues on the illegal occupation, unlawful establishment of
infrastructures and the incidents of incursions within the Philippines EEZ adds to the overall raging
tension.
However, the conflict started to cool down when the past president Rodrigo Duterte took
Malacanang. He initially opens the door for the economic and political cooperation to Chinese
government as he officially visited to Beijing in 2017 that resulted into securing of investments
and credit line pledges of business and trade deals that amounted to approximately 24billion US
dollars. As an addition to the current Economic relationship of China and Philippines, the bilateral
trade between the two countries is continuously growing. This is based on the reports from the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). the total trade reached for up to 14.6 billion US Dollars
in 2013 that can be compartmentalizes for the mutual benefit of the two.
While in the Political relationship, according to experts the two countries have a mutual
goal as China’s Belt and Road initiative and the Philippines program for build, build, build shares
the same goal. It is because of the visit of the past president Rodrigo Duterte to Beijing in 2016
that opens many billion dollars’ worth of infrastructure projects for the Philippines.
It is evident that even though there are conflicts between the two countries regarding the
territorial and maritime claims, it doesn’t affect other factors of development for the two countries.
To compare the impact of Chinese culture on contemporary Philippines to the Chinese
culture on 19th Century, it somehow related and does have various similarities in different factors
in the society. But to sum up, China today is one of the major partners of the Philippines when it
comes to Economic and Political aspects that helps the Philippine government to have a fund for
the projects in their country. That is also the same during the 19th Century when Chinese mestizos
became prominent and influential figure in the area of industry, commerce, and business during
Spanish colonization. It only means that even before during the 19th Century up until now in the
contemporary Philippines. The Chinese influence and its power to economic, political, and social
factors is still superior that it extends its hand to the Philippines to provide assistance and support
with of course its own intention behind.

References:
China- Philippines Relations: Good for The Economy? | Asteria Lending

The Philippines’ Economic and Political Relations With China - ASEAN Business News (aseanbriefing.com)

Philippines-China Relations: Beyond the Territorial Disputes | FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE (fsi.gov.ph)