It’s going to be a sunny autumn in Beijing, auspiciously mirroring the sun that Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua foresaw as “shining beautifully” over the “new chapter” of PH-China relations. If the temperature forecasts are correct, you can even get by with your signature outfit of checkered shirt and jeans during the day. But of course, with Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang waiting, formal attire is called for—perhaps a barong or the suit you wore during the Asean summit in Laos.
From the time you set foot on the red carpet they will presumably roll out until the time you fly back to Manila or Davao, you’ll surely have a very busy schedule, for which I hope you’ll be well-rested, and your diplomatic team well-prepared. Your trip, after all, comes with great expectations.
Filipinos are anxious to see a favorable resolution of the Spratlys issue. While we have no illusions of military might, hearing our own leader say so publicly is quite disappointing, especially because we have other weapons such as international law (i.e., the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) and regional diplomacy (i.e., our coming chairmanship of the Asean) to wield. Many who watch you stand up to America expect you to be able to stand up to China as well.
But we—and I’m sure our Asean neighbors feel the same way—understand the need to engage with China; jetskiing to the Spratlys with the Philippine flag was never a serious idea. We have much to gain in being friends with China—one of our oldest and largest trading partners and cultural influences. After all, the Philippines was a favorite of Chinese tourists before that bungled hostage crisis at the start of P-Noy’s term; perhaps they can be persuaded to come back. We also need investments in our long-neglected infrastructure, including a railroad system.
These economic incentives, however, should not come at the cost of our territorial integrity, our friendship with other countries, and the livelihood of our fishers. “Asking permission” for them to fish in our own waters appears like a kowtow, but surely Perfecto Yasay has a wide enough vocabulary to help you propose something acceptable to both sides. The Confucian notion of harmony offers a framework for a mutually agreeable solution, yet given what is at stake in the Spratlys, this is an incredibly challenging task.
Many are also concerned about the involvement of Chinese triads in the trade in illegal drugs, but I think this will be a more comfortable topic for you and your counterparts. The Chinese will never bring up the subject of human rights, just as I’m sure you won’t raise the plight of the people of Tibet (who may be harboring the same feelings about colonialism that you feel with respect to the United States) or of the Muslim Uyghurs (who may hold the same sentiments of marginalization as the Muslims in Mindanao). In this side of the world, leaders have never been good at calling each other out. But for the moment, even just being able to assert our sovereignty, and get some trade and infrastructure deals signed, would satisfy most Filipinos. If China can launch the first Filipino into space, that would be great, but I’m using too much of my creative imagination.
In ending, I hope you’ll enjoy your stay there. I hope you get to tour the capital, see the Forbidden City, Mao Zedong’s mausoleum, and Tiananmen Square—and be able to reflect on the significance of these places.
I hope you don’t eat too much of the Peking duck, which, while delicious, won’t be good for your health in large amounts. There are already too many things that are making your blood boil, and high cholesterol shouldn’t be one of them.
But the tea is great. Surely you’ll be offered the finest Pu-Erh, and the ethereal Da Hong Pao once reserved for emperors. It’d be great if you can take some back to Malacañang: The soothing effect will do wonders for you and the nation.
Gideon Lasco is a physician and medical anthropologist. Follow him at Gideon Lasco on Facebook and @gideonlasco on Twitter and Instagram.