Focus on PHL, Asean trade with China

Despite the din and mess in Philippines-China relations caused in part by the stridently boastful Jay Tarriela, and the rabidly pro-American Gibo Teodoro and Erwin Tulfo, among others in the stupid membership of the Philippine Association of China Haters, there is still a whiff of fresh air, a wind-stream  of hope, for Filipinos who just want to survive through honest toil.

We note, for instance, that Filipino businessmen who joined the 2026 China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) recently which was held in Nanning, Guangxi, are happy because they returned home with $60 million worth of sales.

In peso terms, this translates to PhP 3.79 billion, and more jobs for the youth.

It was reported that this was the highest figure local businessmen attained since they started joining this prestigious trade expo in 2004.

According to the data from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this year’s revenue performance topped the record-high $49 million made in 2024.

Because it was named the “Country of Honor” during the preparations for the Expo, the Philippines sent its biggest delegation—businessmen, farmers, manufacturers and traders of Philippine  commodities and services such as coconut products, durian, traditional clothes and apparels, etc.

As the Country of Honor, the Philippines was also given the opportunity to promote not just the country’s best products, but also investment opportunities and tourist destinations.

Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo said that the government spent around P15 million to support exhibitors by covering a portion of their participation fee.

With more participants this year, she said the government was able to maximize the budget for the event.

CITEM worked with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Foreign Affairs, Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., Liwayway Marketing Corp. and Metropolitan Bank (China) Ltd. for this year’s participation at the CAEXPO.

Ocampo said that the country sees many opportunities in the export of agricultural products like durian, bananas and coconuts to China.

Chinese consumers and those from other Asean countries gave local products the respect and support that they deserve.  This, we cannot say about many Filipinos who still look up to Paris and New York for their branded items, paid for by stolen money from ghost flood control projects and other dubious government contracts.

In an interview with CGTN, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque stressed the importance of Filipinos’ participation in the CAEXPO, since this provides them with the opportunity to expand their businesses and increase their sales and income. 

She urged the traders to continue patronizing local and international trade events, of course with assistance from the government.

“So yung increase ng sales natin has reached, our exports have reached an all-time high of 15.4% in 2025. And from January until July of 2026, again, pataas lahat or every month, we are up. So again, this shows that the more trade shows we join, the more sales we can get, especially from those who want to penetrate the global market,” Secretary Roque told the state-run Chinese media.

It was learned that 70 high-value export enterprises from the Philippines which are engaged in agrifood, lifestyle, home and fashion, personal care and allied services participated in the CAEXPO.

We also note that coconut and durian from the Philippines are fast becoming the favorite among Chinese consumers, and because they number in the millions, the Philippines should not pass up the opportunity of making money and creating jobs for Filipinos in these agri industries.