The Philippines subnational relations with China: from antechamber to equality?

The Philippines – China relationship is one of the most volatile in Southeast Asia. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, the relations have oscillated from exceptional warmth to cold hostility. Despite this uncertainty, since 1982, subnational actors in the Philippines have forged partnerships at the regional and municipal levels with their Chinese counterparts. While scholars have extensively researched diplomatic ties, the subnational ties between these two countries remain curiously underexplored. There are now 45 municipal and provincial partnerships between the Philippines and China that are cooperating on an array of economic and social projects. Drawing on fieldwork in the Philippines and an original survey, this study aims to determine the impact of the country’s subnational ties on the bilateral relationship. Do these subnational ties exist as a secondary function of diplomatic relations or are they a form of international relations in their own right? By exploring these questions, this study seeks to understand how these ties have developed and how they are viewed by the public, as well as identify their limitations and challenges for future progress.
© 2026 The Author(s).