DFA Secretary Lazaro, Amb. Huang open photo exhibit showcasing PH-China ties

On Jun 8, 2025

June 9, 1975. Among the photos in the exhibit is this one showing President Ferdinand Marcos Senior and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signing the Joint Communique in Beijing that establish formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China. Besides First Lady Imelda Marcos are her daughters and Deng Xiaoping, who would soon succeed Chairman Mao Zedong two years after his death in 1976.

NEWLY appointed Department of Foreign Affairs secretary and career diplomat, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, took off some time from her very busy schedule last May 30 to attend a photo exhibit along with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian that showcased the strong historical, cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and China.

Chinese Ambassador HE Huang Xilian and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, waiting for their turn to speak at the opening of a photo exhibit in Manila highlighting the strong historical and cultural ties between China and the Philippines, May 30, 2025

The exhibit also marked the formal opening of the ‘Smart Museum System’ at the ‘Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Center’ inside the Walled City of Intramuros in Manila and forms part of the series of activities prepared by the Fil-Chinese community to mark the 50^th anniversary of the opening of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China that falls on June 9.

On that date in 1975 and amidst the background of the Cold War, President Ferdinand Marcos Senior and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, signed the ‘Joint Communique’ in Beijing that formally establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Accompanying Marcos during his state visit to China was First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos and their children, including the current president, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Senator Imee Marcos.