The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) launched “Ginto”, a commemorative coffee-table book marking the Golden or 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China at the Goldenberg Mansion near Malacañang Palace on Dec. 1, 2025.
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and Chinese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Zhou Zhiyong attended the event.
Also present were business leaders including Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and Enunina Mangio, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), along with leaders of Filipino-Chinese organizations and diplomatic officials.
Speeches were delivered by Zhou; FFCCCII president Victor Lim; FFCCCII honorary president Cecilio Pedro; and FFCCCII board member and public information committee chair Wilson Lee Flores.
Lim said the book “Ginto” commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China and reflects the enduring ties between the Filipino and Chinese peoples.
He described the publication as a testament to the long-standing partnership, cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, highlighting areas where both sides have worked successfully together, including trade, investment, finance, energy, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, tourism, cultural exchange, scientific, technical, educational cooperation, sports, youth exchange and communication.
“The title, Ginto (or Jin in Chinese), was chosen to reflect the strength, endurance, and timelessness of Philippine-China relations,” he said.
Lim noted that even in the face of challenges, the two nations have continued to support one another, reflecting the strength and endurance of bilateral relations.
“FFCCCII will continue to expand efforts to promote business partnerships and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen mutual understanding to advance inclusive economic growth and social development in both countries,” Lim said.
Flores co-led the book’s development along with co-chairman Eduardo Cobankiat.
The more than 200-page book contains essays, archival photographs, and accounts on diplomacy, trade, business cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries over the past five decades.
The book took nearly a year to complete through research, writing and editorial work.
According to FFCCCII, “Ginto” aims to serve as both a historical reference and a visual narrative of five decades of evolving Philippines–China relations.
China is the Philippines’ biggest trading partner.
FFCCCII hopes to help boost Philippine exports to China’s market of over 1.4 billion consumers and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
