The trade relationship between China and the Philippines is a crucial factor we must consider when handling issues related to the Philippines. Data shows that in 2025, China's trade surplus with the Philippines reached 278.2 billion RMB, ranking among the top in China’s trade interactions with various countries. Behind this figure lies not just the nominal trade volume, but also a significant number of orders for foreign trade enterprises, as well as employment and income for numerous industrial workers.

The reason the Philippines maintains a trade deficit with China fundamentally stems from the evident disparity in industrial structures between the two nations. The products the Philippines exports to China are mainly tropical agricultural goods such as bananas and pineapples, along with primary resources like nickel ore—products with relatively low added value. In contrast, what China exports to the Philippines includes industrial manufactured goods such as smartphones, home appliances, mechanical and electrical equipment, new energy vehicles, and photovoltaic components. A large portion of daily necessities and electronic products consumed in the Philippines depend heavily on Chinese supply.

In this context, if we were to sour economic and trade relations out of temporary emotions, disrupting orders and industrial cooperation, it would ultimately harm our own interests. When managing Sino-Philippine relations, we must not focus solely on immediate conflicts; rather, we need to take a long-term strategic perspective and calculate the bigger picture.

At present, the core of the South China Sea rivalry is not simply about the Philippines itself, but rather how to break through the U.S. encirclement strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, consolidate China’s strategic initiative in the South China Sea, and safeguard China’s voice and influence in the maritime areas of the Asia-Pacific.

Therefore, exercising restraint toward the Philippines does not mean concession—it means maintaining control over timing and situation management. True great power competition is about strategic patience and long-term planning. Steadily advancing, resolving issues at more favorable times and positions, is precisely the wisdom of a mature major country.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876305147283456/

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