Stories shape our opinions, judgments, and biases. As one of the biggest development lenders to the Philippines, China has played a role in shaping how its investments in the country are perceived by Filipinos—but to what extent?

The report, “Investing in Narratives: How Beijing promotes its development projects in the Philippines” published by AidData and Asia Society Philippines answers just that. This report follows AidData’s prior study on the impact of Chinese investments in the Philippines entitled “Beijing’s Big Bet on the Philippines: Decoding two decades of China’s financing for development.”

China’s Three Narratives

Chinese state investments, conveyed through state-owned and state-influenced media, revolve around three key stories. First, Beijing promotes its development partnerships as a win-win situation, suggesting that both sides can thrive by aligning with China. This message positions collaboration as essential for mutual growth in today’s interconnected world. Second, as a rapidly developing nation, China sees its rise as an inevitable economic powerhouse. The underlying message is clear: opposing China could lead to missed opportunities for other countries. Finally, China champions an "Asia is for Asians" campaign, encouraging neighboring countries to prioritize relationships with China rather than the West. This approach emphasizes geographical proximity and shared cultural ties as reasons to build closer connections with Beijing.

Selling the Story

To effectively communicate these narratives, Beijing employs several strategies. One method is through content-sharing partnerships (CSPs) with Filipino media outlets, allowing China to spread its messages and build local credibility, especially amid declining trust due to geopolitical tensions. Additionally, China hosts training programs for Filipino journalists and social media influencers, equipping them with skills to engage local audiences across traditional and social media platforms while also familiarizing them with China's domestic successes.

Limits to Beijing’s Influence

However, these indirect strategies do not guarantee positive coverage from local media outlets. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and declining trust in China among Filipinos, local journalists remain critical of Beijing’s investments and infrastructure projects. They frequently highlight challenges in project implementation and human rights issues, including impacts on indigenous peoples. This underscores Beijing’s limited influence over the local press and its struggle to shape public opinion, despite initiatives like CSPs and journalist training programs in China. As a result, local journalists and media outlets are increasingly urged to uphold rigorous standards in reporting.

About AidData and ASP’s Collaboration

Following the publication of two policy reports on Chinese investments in the Philippines and related media narratives, a series of workshops were held across universities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in September 2024 to enhance the capacity and confidence of key stakeholders—such as government agencies, media organizations, and civil society groups—in utilizing and expanding data for reporting and decision-making on PRC investments from 2000 to 2022.

To learn more about how China promotes its development projects you may access the full report through this link: https://www.aiddata.org/publications/investing-in-narratives

Marco Antonio Luisito V. Sardillo III is the Executive Director of Asia Society Philippines. As a development practitioner, he has served as an independent consultant to various development organizations such as UNDP Philippines, the Asia Foundation, and the Asian Development Bank. He is also a pro bono adviser to several nongovernmental organizations relating to social justice and public interest issues.  ‍

From 2013 to 2016, under his service as Administrator of Intramuros Administration (with rank of Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism), the Intramuros Administration became the first organization outside of Europe to receive a Premio Patrimonio (“Heritage Award”) from the Group of UNESCO Cities of Spain. Prior to his work in the culture and heritage sector, he served as Executive Director of the Presidential Commission on Good Government and Chief of Staff of its Chairperson.  ‍

Marco obtained his Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy (2001) from Ateneo de Manila University and his Juris Doctor degree (2006) from Ateneo Law School. Soon after his admission to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, he attended the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (National University of Singapore) where he received his Master in Public Policy (2010), as a recipient of the LKYSPP’s grant award. Being a lifelong learner, following his stint in the public sector, he returned to graduate school, as a Chevening Scholar, obtaining his Master of Science in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Timothy Joseph G. Henares is a Project Consultant at Asia Society Philippines. Previously, he led the International Programs Desk at the Dangerous Drugs Board of the Philippines, where he collaborated with the ASEAN Secretariat, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board on drug abuse prevention initiatives. Timothy has also consulted for the ASEAN Foundation and the Asian Institute of Management - Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism.

His research focuses on sustainability, covering topics such as lifestyles, fashion, and chemicals, as well as the impact of Chinese and Japanese energy and digital infrastructure on Southeast Asia. His findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals including Energy Strategy Reviews, Energy Research & Social Science, and Data in Brief.

Timothy holds a BA in International Studies from De La Salle University (2019) and an MPhil in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2023), where he was awarded a full scholarship through the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program. He is also a Bai Xian Scholar Alumnus and a Salzburg Global Fellow.‍

Alec Julian A. Templonuevo is a Project Assistant at Asia Society Philippines, having previously served as a communications intern for the organization. He has previously held communications roles at Rappler MovePH, where he reported on local and national events, and at the ICLEI Southeast Asia Secretariat, where he highlighted initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions in various cities across the Philippines.

Alec recently completed the DiscoverNUS program in Spring 2024 sponsored by the National University of Singapore. He is currently in his final year of completing his Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations with a specialization in East and Southeast Asian Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.  

Isabel Sofia C. Santiago is a Project Assistant at Asia Society Philippines. She is also affiliated with the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies as a Grant Writing Team Member.

Her research focuses on Philippine and global fashion and textiles, Philippine-China relations, Japanese political economy, and geopolitics. She also has a background in European business and economy as part of her stints in the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippines and the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

Isabel graduated with a degree in Diplomacy and International Relations with a specialization in East and Southeast Asian Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University in 2024. She also completed J.F. Oberlin University's Reconnaissance Japan program in Tokyo during Spring 2023. 

Asia Society Philippines plays a crucial role in driving meaningful dialogue, forging strategic partnerships, and conducting impactful research that fosters understanding of the Philippines and Asia. For memberships and partnerships, please email [email protected].