Philippine Association for Chinese Studies

03/08/2026

The rise of renewable energy and modern aquaculture may reduce the role of resources as a trigger for tensions in maritime hotspots. Oil supply disruptions due to the US-Iran war and energy transition targets accelerate the push for hydro, wind, and solar solutions. Aquaculture has displaced wild catch as the main contributor to total fisheries production in most coastal countries.

The shift from pilot projects to commercial undertakings bodes well for the future of combined offshore aquaculture and new energy. The development of this sector can deliver food and fuel and open a new facet for regional cooperation in maritime commons.

PACS Board Member Lucio Pitlo III shares his new piece. https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/integrating-new-energy-and-aquaculture-practical-cooperation-in-the-south-china-sea

Competition for access to resources has been a major driver of conflict in the South China Sea. The discovery of offshore oil in the 1970s triggered a scramble for land features to bolster claims to territory and sovereign rights over underwater fossil fuels. Dwindling fishing stocks in coastal area...

30/07/2026

PACS Board Member Lucio Pitlo III took part in this Workshop on “New Chinese Migrants in Southeast Asia and Their Impacts: Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Students and Labourers” organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Experts from ASEAN countries, China and Australia gave excellent presentations on the evolving contribution, challenges and future prospects for Chinese migrant flows to the region as students, educators, workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, with specific panels on their role in Southeast Asia’s food and beverage industry. 2 panels also discussed illicit economies and cross-border crimes.

Mr. Pitlo is grateful for the inputs and suggestions of one of PACS' Founders and Senior Advisers, and Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Founding President, Madame Teresita Ang-See, and fellow PACS Board Member and journalist Wesley Chua.

Great insights from the speakers, sharp questions from the audience, and good interaction. Glad to see old friends and meet new ones.

Thank you, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute and Workshop Convenor and renowned Sinologist Dr. Leo Suryadinata, for the invitation.

27/07/2026

The Philippine Association for Chinese Studies held a dialogue with visiting scholars from the China-ASEAN Research Institute of Guangxi University. Both sides exchanged views on Philippines-China and ASEAN-China relations, and regional economic issues. The meeting was held at the boardroom of Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran in Intramuros, Manila. We thank Kaisa for offering the venue for the constructive discussion.

Guangxi is positioned strategically to link China and Southeast Asia. The autonomous region shares a border with Vietnam. Its capital city, Nanning, hosts consulates from 6 ASEAN countries. Nanning hosts the annual ASEAN-China Expo, and the Philippines is the Country of Honor for the 23rd edition this year. The Pinglu Canal, set to open later this year, will link Guangxi's interior with the sea, enhancing transport and logistics, and boosting trade.

PACS continues to promote academic and think-tank exchanges with counterparts in China, ASEAN and beyond.

12/07/2026

Fish knows no boundaries. Straddling and highly migratory commercial species like tunas, billfishes, mackerels, and squids do not recognize artificial lines drawn on the sea. Hence, managing such transboundary stocks requires regional, if not international, cooperation. And one cannot manage something one cannot measure.

This highlights the significance of conducting joint fish stock assessments to gauge the health, size, and factors affecting wild marine catch. Although less known, two rounds of joint fish stock assessments have already been conducted in the South China Sea (SCS), with the third underway. Hence, while the sea’s reputation as a flashpoint gets more limelight, coastal states continue to pursue practical cooperation to avert a tragedy in the maritime commons.

Key Takeaways Analysis Fish knows no boundaries. Straddling and highly migratory commercial species like tunas, billfishes, mackerels, and squids do

03/07/2026

The Filipino-Chinese community has long been active in humanitarian and sociocivic work, mobilizing relief during calamities and building schools for remote communities, among others. Much of this is done outside public limelight. They made indelible contributions to the country beyond business and philanthropy.

As do many Filipinos, they are invested in seeking stable and gainful ties with China. From acting as special envoys to promote more trade, tourism, investment and projects to serving as backchannels when ties get testy, they do not hesitate to help when asked. Of course, bridges also fear getting burned.

PACS resource persons were quoted in this South China Morning Post by Jeoffrey Maitem.

PACS President Lucio Pitlo argued that Tsinoys' sympathy and loyalty reside with the Philippines, although some of them may have misgivings about the approach in dealing with China.

PACS Senior Adviser Teresita Ang See, a veteran Chinese-Filipino civic leader, has previously warned that espionage allegations were fuelling Sinophobia, citing the portrayal of Chinese students in Cagayan as potential spies and reports of Chinese nationals and businesses facing harassment or inspections.

Former PACS President Dr. Rommel Banlaoi said such attitudes had led some Filipino scholars who studied in China to self-censor, warning that stigma risked undermining efforts to stabilise relations between Manila and Beijing.

The community is drawing attention partly due to the South China Sea row and spying cases involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

14/06/2026

China’s travel and business ban on Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his family injects new uncertainty into bilateral ties that have seen some improvement in the past few months, amid renewed political dialogue and growing Chinese tourist arrivals with more direct flights. While Sec. Teodoro is not the first Filipino official to be meted with such sanctions, he is probably the highest incumbent government official to receive them. The Philippines has also become one of the few non-Western countries to collect as many sanctions.

However, the move was ill-timed, coming 2 days after the Philippines-China Friendship Day, coinciding with the 51st anniversary of official ties, and a day before the 128th Philippine Independence Day. It only makes opposition to China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea a new manifestation of Filipino nationalism, a phenomenon that will deepen distrust and complicate diplomacy.

The trigger for the sanctions was Sec. Teodoro’s remarks at the recent 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The defense chief said that based on the Philippines’ experience with PRC, negotiations are “not a path to conflict resolution but a means of gaining advantage.” In relation to China’s fuel and fertilizer offers, he also said that: “No matter how they sugarcoat their assistance to us, it ⁠doesn't cut the mustard.” China supplied 260,000 barrels of diesel to the Philippines as the latter struggles with a national energy emergency due to the war in West Asia. In 2023, Beijing donated 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer as Manila faced supply disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine War. It is one thing to downplay assistance in times of great need. It is another to say it is not good enough, as if setting a high standard for accepting help when few are willing to lend a hand.

While it is China’s option to do so, the sanctions will likely break the diplomatic thaw. It may cast a shadow over bilateral dialogue platforms and ongoing efforts to conclude the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea under Manila’s Chairship of ASEAN this year. Talks to restore communications and re-establish a Joint Coast Guard Committee between the two neighbors may also be affected.

The South China Sea is a multiparty row, and coastal states are taking measures to secure their interests, whether through more defense procurement, ramping up construction on their occupied reefs, extracting oil and gas in the seabed, and growing security partners. Much of this is done matter-of-factly without drama or fanfare. With aerial reconnaissance and satellite technology, it has become impossible to hide what one is doing or attempting to do in the maritime hotspot. Calling it out, especially in international venues, has become a deliberate choice most parties eschew from taking because: 1) they still get what they want without resorting to it, and 2) they want to keep ample room for maneuver, including giving the other party a face-saving exit. And discreet, but astute and effective diplomacy is not the sole preserve of small or middle powers. Even United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in the same SLD conference, said that America’s focus is “strong, but quiet, big stick, speak softly.” Manila should rethink doing the opposite.

Cautious and calculated language is not deference but dexterity. The goal is to preserve maximum space for dialogue. Dialogue, in itself, will not necessarily resolve the conflict. But without dialogue, resolving the conflict is impossible. Dialogue may help prevent hostilities, de-escalate tensions, manage incidents, and even open pathways for practical cooperation. If sustained, dialogue may even lead to resolution. That said, diplomacy does not preclude defense from doing what should be done. But neither should defense constrain economics and diplomacy.

Reflecting on the points PACS President Lucio Pitlo III shared with East Asia Tonight host Otelli Edwards for Singapore's Channel News Asia.

06/06/2026

PACS Chinese Studies Journal Editor-In-Chief and University of the Philippines History Professor Dr. Jely A. Galang participated in the Symposium "Between Intersect and Interconnect: The Evolving Counters of South China and Southeast Asia" held at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University Council Chamber in Zhuhai. He joined other historians, Sinologists, and scholars from Southeast Asia and Greater China.

19/05/2026

A day before the two-day visit of United States President Donald Trump to Beijing, PACS President Lucio Pitlo III joined other scholars and experts from ASEAN countries and China in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, for the Seminar on the State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey Report. The event was organized by the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and Jiangsu University. Humbled to join fellow participants in exchanging views about the results of the annual survey conducted by Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) Yusof Ishak Institute. ASEAN panelists shared their take on the poll, how it reflects changing attitudes towards China, US, and regional developments, and suggestions on how ASEAN and China can cooperate to respond to the current energy crisis.

H.E. Shi Zhongjun, ACC Secretary General, gave the opening remarks followed by the welcome speech delivered by Jiangsu University Vice President Yu Minghua. Senior Fellow and Coordinator of ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute Joane Lin gave an overview of the survey. Prof. Xu Bu, President of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Country and Region Studies of Jiangsu University, gave the closing remarks.

The Ambassador of Timor Leste to China, H.E. Maubere Lorosae da Silva Horta, Consul General of Thailand Tachaphorn Suntrajarn, and representatives from consulates of other ASEAN Member States also graced the event. Mr. Pitlo had is grateful to meet hardworking Consul John Francis S. Herrera of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Shanghai and two promising Filipino college students at Jiangsu University, Pamela Bergantin (3rd-year International Economics and Trade from Alicia, Bohol) and Shasnie Dianes Saromines (1st-year Accounting from Dumanjug, Cebu). Mabuhay po kayo!

Valuable insights from all the speakers. Delighted to see familiar friends and meet new ones.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neak Chandarith, Director, Institute for International Studies & Public Policy, Royal University of Phnom Penh 🇰🇭
Christine Susanna Tjhin, Co-Founder & Director of Strategic Communication & Research, Gentala Institute 🇮🇩
Assoc. Prof. Alay Phonvisay, Deputy Head of Research, Faculty of Economic Business & Management, National University of Laos 🇱🇦
Dr. Muhamad Rias Bin K V Zainuddin, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu 🇲🇾
Seksan Anantasirikiat, Senior Researcher, International Studies Center 🇹🇭
Prof. Nguyen Vu Tung, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam 🇻🇳
Prof. Xu Bu, President, Institute of Asia-Pacific Country & Region Studies, Jiangsu University 🇨🇳
Prof. Zhai Kun, Deputy Director, Institute of Country & Region Studies, Peking University 🇨🇳
Prof. Zhu Feng, Dean, School of International Studies, Nanjing University 🇨🇳
Prof. Xin Qiang, Chair, Academic Committee, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University 🇨🇳
Prof. Li Kaisheng, Vice President, Shanghai Institutes of International Studies 🇨🇳
Prof. Yang Yue, Deputy Director, Institute of Asian Studies, China Foreign Affairs University 🇨🇳
Assoc. Prof. Xue Song, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University 🇨🇳

After the conference, delegates toured the scenic Jinshan Hill and historic Xijin Ferry. Thank you ACC for the kind invitation. Congratulations to the organizers for the successful event! Some photos courtesy of ACC.

18/05/2026

The Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, and Kaisa Heritage Center are proud to convene the:

TSINOY CONFERENCE 2027
Theme: Space, Networks, and Global Mobilities
UPDATE: CALL FOR PAPERS
Venue: Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Date: 22-24 January 2027

ABSTRACT DUE on 30 June 2026
YOU MAY ALSO SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACTS HERE: https://forms.gle/ou2reZyESKRggSLo7
For more information, please see

18/05/2026

The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing is an important step in steadying the world’s most important bilateral relations. Stable China-US ties create ample space for third states like the Philippines and fellow ASEAN neighbors to navigate a changing world order marked by intense geopolitical competition and uncertainty. Strengthening guardrails to ensure rivalry does not lead to conflict is crucial. There is no shortage of raging conflicts with global repercussions from Ukraine to Gaza and Iran. A China-US clash over flashpoints like Taiwan will have far-reaching consequences.

The meeting was a chance for both sides to seek compromise, intimate redlines, and explore cooperation to address global challenges, such as risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and a negotiated solution to end the Iran war. The big business delegation that accompanied President Trump showed that, despite differences, trade remains a key agenda and a common ground for the world’s two largest economies. Reassurance can help ease the worries of allies and partners wary of being marginalized by transactionalist great-power bargaining.

The summit did not yield significant breakthroughs on fraught issues dividing the two world powers. But no single meeting should be expected to do so. Optics and statements may be parsed, but its actual deals to follow and changes on the ground that will show the outcomes of the meeting.

PACS President Lucio Pitlo III joined panelists from Tokyo and Washington to break down the implications of the Trump-Xi meeting to US allies. He joined Director of the Economic Security Program at the University of Tokyo Daisuke Kawai, Assistant Professor at Frostburg State University, Maryland Dr. Ma Haiyun, and WorldEast host Mona Shukr in this AlQahera News program. Thank you for the kind invitation.