MANILA – September 17, 2026 -- Nearly 320,000 Chinese tourists had entered the Philippines as of September 9, making China the country's fourth-largest source market, Philippine Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Maria Christina G. Aquino said at a two-day Chongqing-Manila festival that drew roughly 400 business, political and cultural delegates to SM Mall of Asia on September 12.
Chongqing brands sign travel and cooperation deals in Manila
The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Information Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government and organized by the Western China International Communication Organization, staged seven themed exhibitions covering Bayu culture, Chongqing cuisine and 'Made in Chongqing' industrial output. Happyyou International Travel signed a cooperation agreement with Philippine tourism organizations during the accompanying 'China, An Opportunity: Chongqing Brands' conference.
New energy vehicles and HIFU medical technology target Philippine buyers
Zhang Li of the CPC Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Committee pointed to Chongqing-made new energy vehicles and HIFU medical technology already in use among Philippine patients as entry points for expanded trade. Changan Automobile, Southwest University and Air China separately presented industry, study-abroad and direct-flight opportunities to attendees, extending discussions from a May online engagement between the two cities into in-person commercial contact.
Officials frame festival as extension of centuries-old trade route
Zhou Zhiyong, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, linked the gathering to the historic Maritime Silk Road, describing the exchange of goods, culture and ideas between China and the Philippines as an ongoing process reinforced through direct engagement. Wu Changfan, Deputy Director-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, said the festival converts the earlier online meeting into a face-to-face platform for cooperation in tourism, trade and education, building on the May 'Flying Across Mountains and Seas' campaign between the two cities.