PH-China at 51: Toward maritime cooperation

As China and the Philippines mark 51 years of diplomatic ties today, the anniversary must go beyond ceremony to deliver results through maritime cooperation and ocean governance. Joint efforts in sustainable fisheries, environmental protection, scientific research, and disaster preparedness can transform contested waters into shared spaces of stewardship. By strengthening crisis management protocols and ensuring agreements are faithfully implemented, both nations can reduce risks, foster predictability, and anchor their partnership in collaboration at sea.

However, skeptics in the Philippines contend that China remains a threat and is manufacturing tension in the South China Sea to evade accountability and assert dominance. These frustrations are valid and must not be taken for granted. But reducing the issue to an anti-China narrative oversimplifies a complex geopolitical reality. As Manila and Beijing mark 51 years of bilateral ties, sustained dialogue is essential to ease tensions, foster maritime cooperation, and advance ocean governance without compromising sovereignty.

At the same time, deepening defense cooperation with the United States remains critical for credible security guarantees. Rebuilding functional ties with China while reinforcing the US alliance offers a pragmatic dual-track approach, pursuing maritime cooperation where possible and showing firmness on sovereignty where necessary. This balanced framework equips the Philippines to manage South China Sea disputes, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, without triggering escalation.

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The Philippines is not alone in this struggle. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam have also clashed with Beijing over competing claims. Yet these Southeast Asian neighbors have chosen dialogue and cooperation, while deepening ties with the US. Their experiences carry valuable lessons that Manila cannot afford to ignore.

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Vietnam, scarred by a brief but bloody border war with China in 1979, now holds regular talks with Beijing at every political level. Maritime disputes are contained, while economic cooperation thrives. Remarkably, the two nations even embrace the idea of a “shared future,” a notion unimaginable decades ago. Brunei and Malaysia rely on quiet, preventive diplomacy to keep sea disputes from poisoning strong economic ties. Indonesia, meanwhile, pursues maritime cooperation with China in the North Natuna Sea, proving that confidence-building can defuse tensions before they escalate. Together, these examples show that disputes need not breed endless hostility.

Even at the height of its rivalry with China, the US concedes that dialogue is indispensable. High-level talks between Washington and Beijing do not just ease suspicion—they help prevent dangerous missteps in a volatile contest for power. US President Donald Trump’s state visit to China on May 13–15, 2026, underscored this point: sustained engagement acts as a stabilizer, even between adversaries. By casting their ties as a “constructive relationship of strategic stability,” Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled a calculated effort to keep competition within controlled bounds.

The Philippines can rebuild friendship with China as a complement to its alliance with the US. This dual track expands security options and fortifies sovereignty. By balancing ties with both powers, Manila stands as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific and a trusted bridge for dialogue between Washington and Beijing. Restoring friendship is a pragmatic strategy to transform the West Philippine Sea from a flash point of military conflict into a platform for maritime cooperation.

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Dialogue must remain the Philippines’ first line of defense. Legal instruments and alliances are pillars of security, and the 2016 arbitral victory stands as a cornerstone of Manila’s legal position. Yet law and alliances alone cannot replace direct engagement. Only sustained dialogue can manage differences, reduce risks, and carve out common ground for maritime cooperation, anchoring a balanced strategy that strengthens resilience and advances lasting peace in the region.

The 51st anniversary of Philippines-China relations is a testament to what keeps that friendship alive: cooperation at sea. For centuries, trade, migration, and cultural exchange have bound our shores together, proving that neighbors prosper when shared waters become common ground. Today, maritime collaboration, whether in joint fisheries, safe shipping lanes, marine research, or disaster response, safeguards livelihoods, secures food, and strengthens trust. By anchoring our partnership in ocean governance, we transform the waters that connect us into a lasting foundation for peace and shared prosperity.

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Rommel C. Banlaoi, Ph.D., is currently a nonresident fellow of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance. A former adjunct professor at the National Institute for South China Studies, he is also the director of the Philippines-China Studies Center at Diliman College, and president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies.

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