Philippine E-Journals

Beginnings of the Philippine-Chinese Relations

Discipline: History

 

Abstract:

The genesis or beginnings of the relations between the Philippines and China could be traced even to pre-historic times long, long before the Spanish Cross and Sword won mastery on Philippine soil. These early beginnings are not difficult to find, for as we look at the map of East Asia, we naturally find how contiguous the Philippine archipelago is to the China mainland. From Manila, Philippine metropolis and capital, to Amoy in the China mainland, the distance is hardly 675 miles, and during clear weather, Taiwan, a Chinese offshore island, now seat of the Free China Government, is readily visible from the Philippine isle of Y'Ami in

the Batanes island group. From Manila, in Luzon, to Taipei, in Formosa, is a flying distance of only 3 hours; and from Manila to Canton is only 650 miles.