The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and its mother agency, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), continue to treat China as a formidable source of foreign direct investments despite persistent political tensions between the two countries.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said she remains optimistic about the entry of multinational enterprises from around the globe — particularly those already operating in or relocating from China.

PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga echoed this sentiment:

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

Last month, PEZA and DTI officials joined a three-day investment mission to Shenzhen, China, 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 strengthen trade and investment ties between the Philippines and China — particularly in manufacturing — and to position the country as a strategic destination for Chinese enterprises looking to expand in Southeast Asia.

The forum generated considerable interest from 10 participating companies, most notably global motorcycle brand Piaggio, the maker of the iconic Vespa scooter, signaling strong potential for future investment deals.

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas lauded PEZA’s continued commitment to attracting investments and generating employment for Filipinos.

PTIC Commercial Attaché Froilan Pamintuan also praised PEZA under DG Panga’s leadership for its proactive efforts in promoting the Philippines amid the growing trend of companies relocating from China due to U.S.-imposed tariffs.

Rafael Fernandez de Mesa of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates added:

“The leadership of DTI, PTICs, and PEZA — especially under Director General 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.”

In addition to the forum, PTIC Guangzhou organized B2B meetings for the PEZA team with companies interested in relocating to the Philippines. Many cited the country’s proximity to China and the impact of U.S. tariff uncertainties as key considerations. These companies operate in sectors such as industrial robotics, electronics, automotive, medical devices, garments, and e-commerce. While still in the exploratory phase, most have scheduled site visits to the Philippines.

PEZA also conducted a facility tour of Shenzhen Grandsun Electronic Co., Ltd., the parent firm of Grandsun Advanced Electronics (Philippines) Co., Inc., a PEZA-registered enterprise based in the Lima Technology Center in Batangas. Grandsun reaffirmed its commitment to expand operations in the country, with plans to bring its entire supply chain to the Philippines and eventually manufacture its full product line locally.

The PEZA delegation also met with the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) in Dongguan, led by Zhao Wenfa, to explore collaborations with key business players in the area.

Notably, CCOIC members had previously visited the Philippines on April 25–26 for an exploratory mission and ocular inspections of selected economic zones in Laguna and Batangas. This followed a separate China investment mission conducted by PEZA and Aboitiz InfraCapital on 20 March.

“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,” DG Panga said.