A millennium of PH-China relations

We should not forget that the Philippines and China have a long history of trade and diplomatic ties -- far longer than any other country in the world -- amid the backdrop of souring diplomatic relations over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

To put it bluntly, the relationship between the Philippines and China stretches back over a thousand years, characterized by rich trade and cultural exchange. This bond, originating in the 9th century, has left a lasting impact on both nations, shaping their histories and cultures.

The earliest recorded trade between the Philippines and China began in Ma-i, now known as Mindoro, during the 9th century.

The barter system saw Chinese traders exchanging goods such as silk, porcelain, and other luxury items for local products like beeswax, cotton, pearls, and tortoise shells. This thriving trade network soon expanded to include other significant regions, notably Butuan and the Sultanate of Sulu.

Butuan, located in the southern part of the Philippines, emerged as an important trading hub by the 10th century.

Archaeological evidence, such as Chinese ceramics and other artifacts, attests to Butuan's prominence in regional trade.

Similarly, the Sultanate of Sulu became a vital center for commerce and diplomacy, further cementing the strong trade ties between the two nations.

Remarkably, the Philippines-China relationship predates Spanish colonialism by about 500 years.

Long before Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, the Philippines and China had established strong trade and diplomatic relations.

Chinese records from the Song Dynasty (960–1279) mention regular trade missions to the Philippines, highlighting the significance of this early connection.

The enduring trade relationships facilitated cultural exchange and integration between the Chinese and Filipinos.

Chinese businessmen who settled in the Philippines often married local women, resulting in a significant Chinese-Filipino population. These intermarriages contributed to the cultural and genetic diversity of the Filipino people.

One of the most enduring legacies of early Philippines-China relations is the establishment of the world's first Chinatown.

In 1594, the Spanish colonial government in Manila officially recognized Binondo as a settlement for Chinese immigrants.

Binondo's creation marked the formal acknowledgment of the long-standing presence and influence of the Chinese community in the Philippines.

Today, Binondo remains a bustling commercial district, symbolizing the deep-rooted historical connections between the two nations.

Filipino leaders conducted several missions in trading areas as a sign of their recognition of trade relations with China. The Sulu Sultanate recorded tribute missions in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The Sultan of Sulu, known as Paduka Batara (Pahala in Chinese), made a prominent mission to Beijing in 1417. Book 325 of the "History of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1643) of China" records the visit.

Two other Muslim leaders, along with 340 members of their delegation, including Batara's two wives and three sons, accompanied Batara.

The Chinese emperor gave Batara an imperial seal that recognized him as senior to the two other leaders.

However, Batara died on Sept. 13, 1417, in Te-chou (Dezhou, Shandong Province) on the Grand Canal (Shantung Province). The Emperor then recognized his eldest son, Tumohan, as Sultan of Sulu in 1417. From 1417 to 1424, the Sulu rulers would send four more trade missions to China.

The Chinese emperor Yong Le made a tomb for Batara with decorations that had the same features as those of a Chinese prince’s burial place. Batara’s second wife remained in China along with her two young sons to guard the tomb and observe the three-year mourning rites. The two sons remained in China and intermarried with the local Chinese Muslims.

During the 9th year of the Kangxi Empire of the Qing Dynasty (1731 AD), their citizenship application was approved, which led to their descendants joining the Chinese population.

Their descendants' surnames are Wen and An, presumably derived from their forefathers. Two-hundred of these descendants reside in Dezhou city, with an estimated 3,700 dispersed throughout China.

The only burial place for a foreign king is Paduka Batara's mausoleum in the Decheng district of Dezhou.

In 1977, the Shandong provincial government officially included it as a historical and cultural site protected by the government. The government listed it as a national historical site in 1988.

Batara’s entombment in China is indeed a testament to the Philippines-China relations that have endured the times. The Chinese people and the Philippine government continue to nurture its historical importance.

In addition to this historical fact, many Chinese who stayed in the Philippines and intermarried with Filipinos have become Filipinos themselves.

In fact, only a few may know that in 1849, the Spanish authorities came up with a decree that required every family head to choose a new surname from a catalog of Spanish names.

As a result, many Filipinos today, descended from mixed Filipino-Chinese parentage, do not carry Chinese names.

Many Filipinos may also be unaware that a significant number of Filipino leaders and heroes are of Chinese descent.

Dr. Jose Rizal, for instance, was born to Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda, a Chinese mestizo couple.

Other leaders of Chinese descendants were Emilio Aguinaldo, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, and Ferdinand Marcos.

There were also Mother Ignacia de Espiritu, founder of the first Filipino congregation for Filipino women; Fr. Lorenzo Ruiz; Teodoro Kalaw; Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr.; and Arsenio Lacson. The list seems endless.

The history of Philippine-China relations is a testament to the enduring connections that have shaped both nations over the centuries. Despite contemporary challenges, it is crucial to remember the deep-rooted ties that have facilitated trade, cultural exchange and mutual respect between the two countries.

The shared heritage of the Filipino and Chinese peoples is evident in the interwoven histories, the vibrant Chinese-Filipino community and the longstanding diplomatic engagements.

As the Philippines and China navigate the complexities of modern geopolitics, acknowledging and honoring their millennia-long bond can serve as a foundation for fostering understanding, cooperation and a renewed commitment to peaceful and productive relations.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.