Philippine Association for Chinese Studies

04/05/2026

ASEAN has been China's largest trade partner for the last 5 years. Russia and Central Asia are increasingly important for energy security, transported by land through pipelines, diminishing the dilemma posed by maritime chokepoints. South and Southeast Asia represent emerging markets and investment destinations for Chinese capacity and capital. Hence, the role of neighborhood diplomacy goes beyond astutely managing longstanding disputes.

As China marks the first year anniversary of the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences held the 2026 China and Neighboring Countries Think-Tank Forum in Beijing. PACS President Lucio B. Pitlo III took part in the conversation. Thank you, National Institute of International Strategy, CASS, for organizing the event.

30/04/2026

PACS President Lucio B. Pitlo III attended the 2026 China and Neighboring Countries High-Level Think Tank Forum sponsored by the National Institute of International Strategy (NIIS) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing. The event gathered scholars and experts from China, ASEAN countries, India, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It was an insightful and frank exchange of ideas on bilateral ties and regional and global issues. Participants were given a tour of the nearby Chinese Archeological Museum.

Mr. Pitlo gave a copy of the Chinese Studies Journal, a PACS publication, to Dr. Xu Liping, Senior Fellow and Director of the Asia-Pacific Social and Cultural Studies of NIIS CASS.

25/04/2026

PACS President Lucio Pitlo III joined the dialogue between Filipino and Chinese scholars to explore practical cooperation in the South China Sea. The event was organized by the Shanghai Institute of International Studies (SIIS). Participants discussed collaboration in the areas of marine environment (e.g., joint marine scientific research, recycling and curbing marine pollution, joint fish stock assessment, common fishing ban), maritime security (e.g., counter-piracy and combating seaborne transnational crimes, search and rescue, joint exercises), and marine economy (e.g., IUU fishing, maritime connectivity, infrastructure, joint offshore energy development).

International law and regional instruments (e.g., UNCLOS, DOC, AOIP) provide a basis for such cooperation, and existing frameworks and arrangements (e.g., RFMOs in other semi-enclosed seas) can be considered. Current platforms like the Common Fisheries Analysis, Joint Oceanographic and Marine Scientific Research Expedition, MARPOLEX can be sustained and opened to other relevant coastal states. Despite the thorny sovereignty/jurisdictional tussle, untoward incidents, and political noise, there are plenty of less-sensitive, less contentious areas of cooperation that can be advanced to benefit all littorals of the South China Sea maritime commons.

Participants in the dialogue include:
Dr. Li Kaisheng, Vice President, SIIS
Anna Malindog-Uy, Vice-President and Director, Asian Century Philippines and Secretary General, Association of Philippines-China Understanding (APCU)
Rhisan Mae Enriquez Morales, Former Assistant Professor and Director of Center for Politics and International Affairs (CPIA) at Ateneo de Davao University and PhD Student at China Foreign Affairs University
Dr. Xue Chen, Research Fellow, SIIS Institute for Southeast Asian Studies
Dr. Zhang Qiyue, Director Assistant and Research Fellow, SIIS Institute for Global Governance
Dr. Zhou Shixin, Director, SIIS Institute for Southeast Asian Studies

Mr. Pitlo gave copies of the new edition of the Chinese Studies Journal, a PACS publication, to Dr. Li and Dr. Zhou.

24/04/2026

PACS President Lucio Pitlo III gave a talk on Mindanao State University General Santos City Campus Seminar Series. He explored the linkage between the crises in West Asia and the West Philippine Sea. He outlined Philippine interests in WA and WPS and how the country seeks to secure those interests. He examined the parallels and contrasts between the Strait of Hormuz and the South China Sea and underscored the importance of vital chokepoints from Hormuz to Malacca for major trading and energy-importing countries. He stressed the need to diversify energy suppliers, tap indigenous petroleum resources, and raise the share of renewables in the national energy mix to reduce vulnerability to external oil shocks. An active, astute and independent foreign policy is crucial in achieving these goals. Daghang salamat for the kind invitation, and more power to MSU-GSC!

23/04/2026

Increased diplomatic dialogue, more direct flights, and the revival of talks on joint exploration in the South China Sea signal a marked improvement in Philippine-China relations amid a global oil crisis fueled by the war in West Asia. It gives shape to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s desire to reset bilateral relations with his country’s largest trade partner as the Philippines confronts a national energy emergency.

The global oil crunch is providing an off-ramp to rekindle ties. Energy and economic motives may top the agenda as both countries host important regional meetings - the Philippines chairing ASEAN and China hosting APEC. China’s massive renewable energy capacity can help future-proof the Philippines’ energy resilience. A greater share of the China market can generate a windfall for Philippine local tourism. Constant political dialogue and astute handling of disputes will be crucial in sustaining the positive thrust. PACS President Lucio Pitlo III shares his take on the "reset" of bilateral ties

A global energy crisis has created an opportunity for the Philippines and China to improve relations through increased diplomatic engagement, expanded economic cooperation, and renewed focus on energy security despite ongoing maritime disputes. China’s ability to supply fuel, invest in infrastruct...

20/04/2026

PACS Senior Adviser and Former President Dr. Rommel Banlaoi shared his take on the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s push to reset ties with China.

The war between the United States and Iran has thrown the global order into deep turmoil. Energy markets are rattled, alliances are strained, and Washington’s military bandwidth is stretched thin.  For the Philippines, this conflict is a sobering reminder of the dangers of overdependence on dista...

14/04/2026

PACS Secretary Erwin Gulle Dizon, Board Member Wesley Chua, and Members Dr. Sidney Christopher Bata and Dr. Lermie Shayne Garcia attended the "International Academic Symposium on Overseas Chinese and Social Development in the Digital Intelligence Era" held in Jingzhou City, Hubei, last April 2-3. The event was jointly organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the Hubei Provincial People's Government, Central China Normal University in Wuhan, and Yangtze University in Jingzhou. It gathered over 50 experts, scholars, and representatives of overseas Chinese from the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and across China. Delegations from the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines Diliman joined the Symposium. A parallel subforum on "Sino-Philippine Think-Tank Research" was convened.

01/04/2026

A global energy shock triggered by the escalating war in West Asia renewed talks for joint petroleum exploration in the West Philippine Sea. In its pursuit, trust, consistency, and political risk are key variables. While the lack of trust is not necessarily an impediment, it limits the space for cooperation and demands more political capital that parties had to expend to defend the deal.

Policy consistency is also crucial. It takes 5-10 years to move from oil and gas discovery to production. Hence, dithering, long pauses, and, more so, policy reversals may make investors hesitant and raise the bar for the next talk. Philippine state-owned oil company previously entered into a commercial JMSU with Chinese and Vietnamese counterparts (2004/05). An MOU on O&G cooperation with China was signed during President Xi's visit to Manila in 2018. Both were discontinued, casting doubt on the seriousness and coherence of Manila's stance regarding resource cooperation with neighboring coastal states in the maritime flashpoint.

Joint exploration/development is a practical cooperation that need not prejudice competing claims. There is abundant state practice, including by fellow ASEAN littoral neighbors. It will not resolve disputes or end incidents, although shared interest in a major project may make parties more committed to stabilizing an area to allay security risks that may dissuade capital. Legal and political constraints may complicate JE/JD, especially for Manila's part. But in the end, it is a political decision that can have a game-changing impact for the country's energy security and stability in a long-running hotspot. It will not be easy, but it is not impossible. PACS President Lucio Pitlo III shared his views with ASPN hosts Patricia Daza and Rikki Mathay for Net 25.

29/03/2026

Glad to catch up with officers, advisers, and members of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies. We celebrated the publication of the new volume of the Chinese Studies Journal, ably curated by Editor-in-Chief and University of the Philippines History Prof. Dr. Jely A. Galang. We are happy that he got the prestigious Harvard-Yenching Fellowship and will be off to Boston in August for his 10-month stint. We shared updates on each other's engagements, advertised future activities and discussed recent issues in Philippine-China relations amid developments such as the global energy crisis. Thank you, Confucius Institute at Ateneo de Manila University, Filipino Director Cris Gilbert Garcia, and Chinese Director Dr. Huang Linjun, for the venue. Thank you to all who attended.

27/03/2026

27/03/2026

Sometimes it takes a crisis to reset relations with an important neighbor and economic partner. In 2021, China was the first to donate Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines, when global supply was scarce, even in China itself. As the world faces a major energy shock, China’s huge petroleum reserves and unfettered access to the Strait of Hormuz may provide relief to neighbors exposed to the escalating war in West Asia. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signaled his interest to restructure ties with the country’s largest trade partner as high pump prices and dwindling domestic reserves threaten the Southeast Asian nation. Such a reset echoes the move made by his father, Ferdinand Sr., who established Manila's ties with Beijing in 1975 and got oil as a global energy crisis rages.

While joint development of offshore oil and gas in the West Philippine Sea may face legal and political constraints, expanding the share of renewables and accelerating the shift to green energy (e.g., wind, solar, hydro) and transportation (e.g., electric vehicles, charging network) with Chinese investment and technology can be pursued. This can have transformative and lasting impact on the Philippine economy and make the country more resilient to future oil shocks.

PACS President Lucio Pitlo III shared his views with Front and Center host Jerome Toledo for Radyo Pilipinas.