China eyes trade mission to Manila in October – PH embassy

China is planning to send a trade delegation to Manila in October to seek more investment opportunities in various areas, such as energy, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing said Thursday.

The planned investment mission was an offshoot of a trade symposium organized by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, the Department of Trade and Industry, and representatives from Philippines-China business chambers on August 22.

Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz said the increasing business exchanges between the Philippines and China are a welcome development as the two countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

“The Philippines continues to be open for business with an enhanced business climate, and…now is a great time to invest,” FlorCruz said amid strained relations between the two countries over territorial rifts in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Led by the Global Investment Council, a non-profit group offering consultancy and resource matchmaking for multinational corporations, Fortune 500 firms, and leading Chinese companies, more than 40 representatives from the China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce (CPCC) and the Chinese Entrepreneurs Association of the Philippines (CEPA) attended the event.

They briefed Chinese businesses on opportunities in electronics and smart manufacturing, green energy, digital services and economy, infrastructure and construction, transport and logistics, tourism, and agribusiness, the embassy said.

“The forum generated more interest in investment opportunities in the Philippines, and we are optimistic to have a successful outcome of the investment mission in October,” said Philippine Commercial Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda.

Energy China, which has established a presence in the Philippines since 1997 with 88 projects completed or underway, “sees significant investment potential in the power industry,” particularly in renewables, the embassy said.

Aside from being the largest trading partner of the Philippines, China was the Philippines’ fourth largest source of investments for the period of January to June 2025.

Peñaranda noted that the internationalization of Chinese enterprises is driven by their need for markets and resources for continued expansion and diversification of supply chains.

He presented to potential investors the advantages of the Philippines as a strategic investment destination, highlighting its “growing economy, skilled and cost-competitive talent pool, abundant natural resources, preferential access to key markets, and enhanced incentives.”

The embassy also made a presentation on multi-awarded destinations as the Philippines seeks to expand its tourism-related supply and services. —VBL, GMA Integrated News