Reflections like these remind me that while we mark fifty years of formal diplomatic relations, the story stretches back much further through centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Today’s circumstance is simply the latest chapter, and my part is modest in making sure the story continues. I hold one or two of the many levers of diplomacy at a given time: economic, political, cultural, consular–always under the guidance of my superiors and instructions from Manila. In the way I write reports, handle engagements, manage cases, or sit through difficult conversations, I hope I can contribute, in small ways, to building a relationship that is more stable and more respectful and constructive.
I know many Filipinos see China negatively, and not without reason. That skepticism comes from real experiences: the coercion of our fishermen in our waters, the swarming of Chinese vessels in areas where the Philippines has sovereign rights under UNCLOS, the harassment of our coast guard and bureau of fisheries vessels, and the building of artificial islands on features that are within our maritime jurisdiction. The 2016 Arbitral Award made clear that China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis and that its actions violated Philippine sovereign rights. These are not abstractions. They are real transgressions that affect livelihoods and national dignity. They explain why so many of our people look at China with suspicion, even anger. While Chinese officials may talk of dialogue or cooperation, it is often actions at sea that undermine trust and shape public opinion. That feeling is real, and it is not misplaced.
At the same time, being here has shown me that China is not one-dimensional. It is vast, layered, and constantly changing. The pace of its development is visible everywhere, in the world’s largest network of high-speed rail, in massive investments in renewable energy, and in agricultural programs designed to feed more than a billion people. These, among many other fields of human activity and technology, are areas where the Philippines still faces big challenges. Seeing China’s progress makes me think about what engagement should mean, not just managing disputes, but also identifying where we can learn, cooperate, or benefit if done carefully. That, too, is part of the balance of diplomacy: defending sovereignty and sovereign rights firmly while keeping open the doors that can help our country develop, make Filipinos’ lives better, and help our people grow and thrive. Managing this relationship is not optional. But it must be done with strategy, nuance, and discipline.
Being in Beijing sharpens this perspective. Few capitals in the world can match its geopolitical and economic weight. Every major issue today has a China dimension, and the presence of nearly all states and international organizations here reflects that reality. China’s ambition drives its policies and its global presence, making Beijing not just another capital but one of the main stages of world affairs. As the President said at the Shangri-La Dialogue last year, “China’s determining influence over the security situation and the economic evolution of this region is a permanent fact.” To serve here is to see that reality up close.
Through all of this, I have realized that people-to-people ties are not secondary, they are fundamental. They are part of the continuity of our exchanges with China, stretching back centuries, and they remind us that relationships are sustained not only by policies but more by people.
Being in China, comparisons are inevitable. The scale of China’s infrastructure, the speed of its growth, the ambition of its policies, and even the way they address corruption in government push me to view Philippine issues through different lenses. Each trade fair, policy discussion, or cultural exchange reflects something back, sometimes highlighting our gaps, sometimes showing our strengths. Rather than distancing me from the Philippines, this posting sharpens how I see our country.
Four months in, my perspective is still forming. I do not have all the answers, but I see both the weight of the challenges and the hope that things can improve. If I can play even a small part in helping move things in that direction, my deployment here already feels worthwhile.
