Old ties, new ventures: Philippines invites Chinese investors to build on Fujian connections

A shorter journey. A face-to-face conversation. A business connection that could grow into a new source of jobs. These possibilities shaped the Philippines’ investment pitch in Xiamen as officials encouraged Chinese enterprises to build on centuries of ties with Fujian and explore opportunities in the Philippine market. During the 2026 China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), held September 8–11, Philippine representatives combined investment presentations with networking and discussions on how closer economic engagement could benefit businesses and communities in both countries.