The Philippines showcased its economic momentum with back-to-back participation in two of China’s biggest international trade fairs -- China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing and the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen.
At the opening of the Philippine Pavilion at CIFTIS on Sept. 11, Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz urged Chinese investors, innovators and entrepreneurs to consider the Philippines as a prime destination for business.
“The Philippines is a highly resilient, globally competitive hub for services in Asia. We are open for business and we welcome China, our largest trading partner, to partner with us in high-growth services and industries,” FlorCruz said.
CIFTIS, co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing municipal government until Sept. 14, is dedicated to trade services.
The Philippine Pavilion highlighted strengths in tourism and hospitality, digital services, health and wellness, creative industries, education, and professional services.
It carried the theme “Thrive Together: Where Paradise Fuels Progress” and was organized by the Department of Tourism-Beijing and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Beijing.
FlorCruz noted that many Chinese enterprises are already thriving in the Philippines. He encouraged visitors to explore collaborations combining Chinese technology with Filipino service expertise, citing China’s transformation of the Shougang Steel site as an example of innovation-driven growth.
At the country forum, FiberHome Philippines chief executive officer Johnny Jiang shared the company’s experience in building telecom infrastructure in the Philippines. With 121 service offices, FiberHome provides access to high-speed digital services and, at its peak, employed over 15,000 workers -- 98 percent of them Filipinos.
Commercial Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda stressed the potential to expand trade and investment ties with China, especially in services and digital infrastructure.
“The Philippines offers a young, creative, and tech-savvy workforce -- an invaluable asset for driving growth in services, particularly in the IT (information technology) sector,” he said.
Tourism Attaché Ireneo Reyes, meanwhile, promoted the Philippines’ globally recognized island destinations, pointing to opportunities for resorts, leisure facilities and sustainable ventures.
“We are one of the world’s best island destinations, celebrated for our unique blend of East and West heritage. With long-standing ties, we provide the perfect setting for deeper cultural exchange, ESL (English as Second Language) development, and showcasing world-class English proficiency to Chinese friends,” he said.
Visitors at the pavilion sampled Philippine coffee and local fruits, enjoyed cultural performances, and took part in interactive trivia games. The exhibit emphasized the country’s dual role as a global tourism draw and a strategic services hub.
The Philippines also participated in the CIFIT on Sept. 8 to 11. Its booth highlighted manufacturing opportunities, industrial hubs, and ecozone prospects.
CIFIT, China’s flagship platform for investment promotion, is hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Fujian Provincial People’s Government.
FlorCruz said the Philippines’ strong showing in both CIFTIS and CIFIT reflects consistency and resolve in the government’s drive to position the country as a premier destination for Chinese trade and investment.
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