The bridge lighting ceremony is held on June 7, 2025 by the Pasig River Esplanade in Manila in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. Photo: VCG


 Photo: Chinese Embassy in the Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the friendship and shared history between China and the Philippines on Saturday evening during a lighting ceremony in Manila to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, which falls on June 9.  

Chinese expert on Sunday described the positive remarks as "rare," and also cautioned that we should "be looking at their deeds, not words on that front." 

According to a readout published by Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Sunday, Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos held the lighting ceremony by the Pasig River Esplanade on the evening of Saturday in Manila in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian was invited to attend and delivered a speech.

The Manila Times reported on Sunday that in his speech, Marcos said the lighting of the iconic Jones Bridge was part of the Chinatown revitalization project to restore Binondo and reaffirmed "its cultural and historical place and significance to our shared heritage."

Marcos said the event also has "a deeper meaning" as this project commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China. "Half a century of friendship and shared history, all reflected here in the world's oldest Chinatown," he said, the Manila Times reported.

Other attendees included Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Victor Lim, and outgoing Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, according to the Inquirer.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang stated that the lighting and fireworks show at Jones Bridge draws inspiration from the lighting project of Beijing's Liangma River and will become another model of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between China and the Philippines, according to the Chinese embassy on Sunday. 

Overseas Chinese and Chinese descendants have made significant contributions to Philippine national independence, liberation, and economic and social development. As well-deserved masters of the Philippines' pluralistic society, they should be fully recognized and highly cherished, Huang said.

China and the Philippines are neighbors that cannot be moved. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, it is hoped that the two sides will revisit the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, comply with the will of the people, seek cooperation rather than confrontation, dialogue over conflict, and work toward returning bilateral ties to a path of stable and healthy development, Huang noted.

"The rarely seen positive remarks by Marcos this time are a good thing," Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times on Sunday. But Ge also cautioned that "we should observe their actions more than just listening to their words."

The Philippine government's tendency to overlook certain domestic voices, which have been urging cooperation with China, has triggered mounting political pressures domestically over Marcos, Ge analyzed. 

 Manila's overemphasis on alignment with the US and hardline posture toward China seems to have a countercharge against Marcos after the May 12 Philippines' midterm election results which signaled a setback for Marcos's administration, Ge believes.

The AP reported on May 17 that key allies of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte and two liberal opposition candidates were among top winners in the May 12 Senate race in the Philippines. 

Through the ups and downs during the 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, it is clear that Manila's balanced and pragmatic foreign policy has fostered stable and healthy China-Philippines relations, while the excessive reliance on external forces, especially the US, and an assertive stance on South China Sea issues have repeatedly driven bilateral ties with China to a freezing point, undermining not only the two countries' relationship but also ASEAN regional cooperation, with broader implications for regional security and stability, according to the expert.

In recent years, Manila's policy direction on South China Sea issues has escalated tensions between China and the Philippines. 

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines responded to media inquiries regarding erroneous remarks about China's South China Sea made during a recent diplomatic meeting between the European Union and the Philippines. The spokesperson advised the Philippines not to have any illusion about relying on external forces to resolve disputes with China, and instead to return to the right path of managing differences through dialogue and consultation.