THE increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting Manila demonstrates that economic relations between the Philippines and China “remain very strong” despite ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, PDP-Laban senatorial candidate and former Secretary Raul Lambino said on Monday.
“There is no doubt that both economic and people-to-people relations between the Philippines and China remain robust, as evidenced by the surge in Chinese visitors arriving in Manila,” Lambino said.
“We are counting on this growth in Chinese tourist arrivals to sustain the recovery of our tourism sector, which provides livelihoods for countless Filipinos,” added Lambino, who also serves as chairman of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding Inc. (APCU).
Lambino was responding to a Bureau of Immigration (BI) report stating that a total of 500,082 Chinese travelers arrived in the Philippines in 2024.
According to the BI, China ranked as the third-largest source of foreign visitors to the Philippines in 2024, following South Korea and the United States, which sent 1,761,281 and 1,325,684 visitors, respectively.
Lambino expects the full recovery of the Philippine tourism industry in the coming months to generate more job opportunities for Filipinos in various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, food and beverage, and entertainment services.
Lambino previously served in the Cabinet of the past administration and held key positions as the chief executive officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon.
50th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations
Filipino-Chinese organizations are actively preparing for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, established on June 9, 1975.
Last month, the APCU launched its 2025 search for outstanding Filipinos who have made significant contributions to fostering friendly relations and promoting mutual understanding between the two nations.
The Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) honors Filipinos who have used their advocacy or expertise in fields such as mass media, public service, trade and commerce, arts, culture, and the sciences to foster closer ties between the two countries.
Nominations can be submitted via the APCU website from February 26 to March 25.
Previous awardees include former First Lady Imelda Marcos, former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Rodrigo Duterte, former Ambassadors Francis Chua, Francisco Benedicto, and Carlos Chan, as well as businessman and philanthropist Larry Tan Villareal and academician Gabriel Ma. Lopez of Ateneo de Manila University.
