China remains a steady source of foreign direct investments despite the maritime tension, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and its parent agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said she remains bullish about the entry of multinational enterprises from across the globe, particularly those with operations in and coming from China.

PEZA director general Tereso Panga said, “With the growing interest in the Philippines as the new ‘plus one’ preferred destination in ASEAN for companies relocating from China, we are confident that we can swiftly accommodate and welcome these companies as new locators. We must not delay their relocation to the Philippines if we are to secure our position in this evolving regional market.”

China remains one of the Philippines’ top investment partners, accounting for 22 percent of the total influx of capital.

Within PEZA, the 118 registered Chinese companies have contributed over $406 million in exports and generated more than 16,000 jobs nationwide, underscoring the tangible impact of bilateral economic cooperation.

3-day invest mission

PEZA and the DTI team joined a three-day investment mission to Shenzhen, China, last month, organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou and the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Guangzhou.

The mission aimed to deepen trade and investment linkages between the Philippines and China, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and to position the country as a smart and strategic choice for Chinese enterprises looking to expand in Southeast Asia.

The forum attracted considerable interest in PEZA from 10 participating companies, most notably from leading global motorcycle brand Piaggio, which made the well-known Vespa scooter, highlighting the strong potential for future investment engagements.

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas expressed appreciation for PEZA’s continued commitment to attracting investments and generating employment for the Filipino people.

PTIC Commercial Attaché Froilan Pamintuan likewise praised PEZA, under the leadership of DG Panga, for its proactive and strategic efforts in promoting the Philippines as a viable investment destination, especially amid the growing trend of companies relocating operations from China due to the United States-imposed tariffs.

Rafael Fernandez de Mesa of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates said, “The leadership of DTI, PTICs, and PEZA—especially under Panga—has been crucial in ensuring that our country remains visible, viable, and investor-ready. At Aboitiz InfraCapital, we are proud to work alongside these institutions to shape globally competitive investment environments—where industries can thrive, partnerships can flourish, and growth can be shared.”

Apart from the forum, PTIC Guangzhou also organized B2B meetings for the PEZA team with companies interested in transferring their operations to the Philippines, citing the country’s proximity to China and the impact of the US tariff uncertainties, among other reasons.

These companies, which are engaged in industrial robotics, electronics, automotive, medical device manufacturing, garments, and e-commerce, have yet to make concrete decisions as they are still in the exploratory phase with their scheduled visits to the Philippines.

Factories expanding

Moreover, PEZA conducted a facility visit to Shenzhen Grandsun Electronic Co., Ltd., the parent company of Grandsun Advanced Electronics (Philippines) Co., Inc.—a PEZA-registered enterprise currently operating in the Lima Technology Center in Batangas.

Grandsun reaffirmed its commitment to expanding operations in the Philippines in the coming years, with plans to bring its entire supply chain to the country and eventually manufacture its full product line domestically.

The PEZA team also met with the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) Dongguan, headed by Zhao Wenfa, to discuss collaboration with key players in Dongguan’s business community.

 Notably, some members of CCOIC had already conducted an exploratory business mission to the Philippines on 25 to 26 April to learn more about the country’s business environment and conduct an ocular visit of selected ecozones in Laguna and Batangas.

This followed the China investment mission conducted by PEZA in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital recently.

“PEZA has recently received numerous inquiries, and we are hearing the same sentiments from the companies we met in Shenzhen. Surely, this is the best time for the Philippines to host their operations—and we at PEZA assure you that with the President at the forefront of this initiative, we will make it happen in the Philippines,” according to Panga.