The Philippine Association for Chinese Studies celebrated its 30th founding anniversary with the year-long theme, “Cultivating Community, Knowledge, and Nation: 1987-2017.” The event culminated in the one-day PACS conference in Pasig City on Dec. 2.
The conference underscored bilateral economic relations, while not discounting other aspects of Philippines-China relations and Chinese studies in the Philippines.
“It is indeed fruitful to give salience to the economic dimension in interdisciplinary analyses of the Philippines’ relations with China. This considers the Philippines’ strategic perspective in terms of its own development and how relating with China should be seen in that light,” said Dr. Tina S. Clemente, PACS president and conference convenor.
Members of the academe, government, civil society, media, and the diplomatic community attended the gathering.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana were keynote speakers.
Conference topics covered a wide spectrum including trade and investment, the Belt and Road Initiative, perspectives on the South China Sea, terrorism, drugs, and history.
The conference ended with a formal recognition ceremony for four distinguished persons for their contributions to China/Chinese Studies. They were Atty. Florencio Mallare, president of World News Publication Corp.; Amb. Wilfrido Villacorta, former permanent representative to the ASEAN; Amb. Carlos Chan, Philippine special envoy to China; and Amb. Chito Santa Romana, Philippine ambassador to China (See related story on page 5).
Over the last 30 years, PACS has actively promoted knowledge exchanges and engagement among scholars and practitioners while striving to promote greater mutual understanding between China and the Philippines and their peoples.
It has produced 13 volumes of the Chinese Studies Journal and has been organizing seminars, roundtable discussions, think tank exchanges, dialogues, and study visits.
PACS acknowledges the support of Joy-Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila, Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., Glory Lumber Hardware and Construction Supply, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines Foundation, Inc., Janet C. Ko Pio (senior vice president and treasurer of Cibeles Insurance Corporation), CW Home Depot, Carlson Chan, Dr. Tan King King (vice president of the Chinese General Hospital), and Patron Pixcel Transglobal Foods Inc.