Some Filipinos wish to learn Chinese despite regional tensions

Territorial disputes are among the reasons why tensions between China and the Philippines have worsened in recent years.

The deteriorating relations, however, have not stopped some Filippinos from learning Chinese, hoping to better understand their connection with China.

Just outside of the San Agustin Church stand not only statues of saints but also Chinese guardian lions. It is said that over 400 years ago, the church was built by Chinese labourers, who brought the traditional Chinese stone-lion culture to the Philippines.

People praying before a cross offer incense instead of lighting candles, demonstrating the long history of cultural fusion between China and the Philippines.

As early as the Song Dynasty over 800 years ago, Chinese people had already migrated to the Philippines and traded with the locals, introducing farming, printing and sugar-making technologies.

President of Philippine Association for Chinese Studies LUCIO BLANCO PITLO III: “The influence of Chinese culture is deeply ingrained in the Philippines, from the food, the vocabulary, and also the presence of Chinese in public life. Close family ties, the respect for elders, these are qualities and attributes that these two people share.”

The worsening China-Philippines ties have not stopped university students from taking classes to learn Chinese, not just for their future development, but also hoping to better communicate with their Chinese-rooted family members in some cases.

Philippine University Student VICTORIA: ‘In daily conversation with my dad, it could be just, “What did you eat?”, and I have to pause because I couldn’t be able to say what I ate other than “I had meals”. “What did you eat?” “Meals.” It’s so sad to be able to converse with him like that and I wish to be able to broaden that.”

An expert from Confucius Institute believes the two countries share a neighbourly relationship that is mutually supportive. By learning Chinese, people can get to know what China is truly like, and their opinions toward China will become more positive.