Philippines-China Relations at 50: ASEAN Perspectives;A Symposium on Questions, Answers and Ways Forward

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This symposium commemorates fifty years of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, a relationship marked by cooperation, contestation, and recalibration. As ASEAN continues to play a central role in shaping Asia’s future, it is timely to revisit this bilateral relationship through the prism of this region’s perspectives.

Our theme, “Philippines–China Relations at 50: ASEAN Perspectives, Questions, Answers, and Ways Forward,” invites reflection not only on the Philippine experience but also on the strategies of our Southeast Asian neighbors. Malaysia, for instance, has pursued a pragmatic balance—maintaining economic engagement with China while carefully managing maritime disputes through diplomacy and regional mechanisms. Vietnam, on the other hand, has combined firm defense of its sovereignty with active participation in ASEAN dialogues, leveraging both resilience and multilateralism to navigate tensions. Indonesia on the other hand has consistently emphasized collective security and rule-based order, their approach reflects a commitment to ASEAN centrality and inclusive regional frameworks. These approaches highlight diverse pathways that ASEAN members have taken to safeguard national interests while sustaining regional stability.

By situating the Philippines–China relationship within this broader ASEAN context, we ask: What lessons can be drawn from Malaysia’s pragmatism, from Vietnam’s resilience and Indonesia’s emphasis on ASEAN centrality? How might these models improve Philippine strategies moving forward? This gathering of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners aims to foster dialogue, interrogate assumptions, and propose constructive solutions that contribute to a shared vision of peace, prosperity, and inclusivity in the region.