At noon on February 18, 2025, the 77th session of the Youth Academic Workshop on International Studies of Fudan University (YAWIS Fudan), organized by the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University (IIS Fudan), was held in Conference Room 324 of the Wenke Building. The session, titled Political Turmoil in the Philippines and Its Effects on China-Philippines Relations, featured a presentation by Prof. Qi Huaigao, Vice Dean of IIS Fudan. Prof. Sun Degang, Assistant Dean of IIS Fudan, presided over the event, while Associate Professor Xue Song moderated the session. The event attracted nearly 20 faculty members and students from Fudan University.
(The 77th YAWIS Fudan)
Qi Huaigao shared his experience of field research in the Philippines from February 2 to 8, 2025. On February 3, he visited Basco, the capital of the Batanes Islands, to conduct field research. He exchanged views with Dr. Djovi R. Durante, President of the Batanes State College (BSC), Ms. Xina V. Vinalay, Chair of the Agriculture Department of the BSC, Ms. Daryl Alva Batin, Director of Internationalization and External Linkages of the BSC, and visited Arlyne C. Velayo, Vice Mayor of Basco, to discuss local residents of Batanes Islands’ perspective on regional dynamics. On February 4, he visited the Philippine Department of Energy in Manila. On February 5, he visited Associate Professor Noel Christian Moratilla, Dean of theAsian Center at University of the Philippines (AC UP), former Dean and Professor Joefe Santarita of the AC UP, and Associate Professor Ariel C. Lopez of the AC UP in Quezon City. On February 6, he visited Professor Henelito Sevilla, former Dean of the AC UP, and Assistant Professor Aaron Rabena of the AC UP in Quezon City. On February 7, he visited the School of International Relations of New Era University (SoIR NEU) in Quezon City, exchanged views with Carlos C. Tabunda, Dean of the SoIR NEU, and Rommel C. Banlaoi, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the China Studies Center at the SoIR NEU, and delivered a lecture to approximately 50 faculty members and students at the SoIR NEU. On February 7, he went to the cemetery of the late Professor Aileen Baviera at the AC UP to pay his respects.
(Qi Huaigao gave a lecture at the77th YAWIS Fudan)
Qi Huaigao then focused on analyzing the current political turmoil in the Philippines. On February 5, 2025, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the Philippine House of Representatives. The Philippine Senate is expected to conduct the impeachment trial of Sara Duterte after it resumes session after June 2, 2025. At least two-thirds (2/3) of all the Members of the Senate must vote for conviction on any of the Articles of Impeachment for the impeached official to be convicted, according to the Philippines 1987 Constitution. Whether the impeachment case can be passed will depend on the results of the Philippine mid-term elections in May 2025. Qi Huaigao believes that the result of the impeachment case will have a significant impact on the situation of the Philippine presidential election in 2028, and will also affect the China policy of the remaining Marcos administration and the next Philippine government. Qi Huaigao analyzed three characteristics of China-Philippines relations: first, China-Philippines relations fluctuate greatly with the overall changes of different Philippine governments; second,China-Philippines relations are influenced much by the SouthChinaSea dispute; and third, the United States is deeply involved in China-Philippines relations. Qi Huaigao proposed four considerations for the future development of China-Philippines relations: First, China and the Philippines should strengthen bilateral investment and trade; second, provisional measures should be taken to manage the South China Sea dispute, such as joint development of oil and gas; third, the Philippines should maintain neutrality in the competition among major powers; and fourth, cultural and academic exchanges between China and the Philippines should be enhanced.
(Professor Sun Degang hosted the 77th YAWIS Fudan)
In the comment and question session, Associate Professor Xue Song discussed the Philippine field research preparation mentioned by QI Huaigao, the Marcos government's complicated policies toward China, and the impacts of Philippine domestic affairs on foreign policy. Professor Cai Cuihong, Associate Professor Tu Yichao, Associate Professor Xie Chao, Associate Professor Wen Yao from the IIS Fudan, and Assistant Professor He Jiajie from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University commentedand asked questions about the content of the lecture.
(Associate Professor Xue Song commented at the 77th YAWIS Fudan)
(Professor Cai Cuihong shared ideas at the77th YAWIS Fudan)
(Group photo of guests participating in thediscussion)
(Visiting Arlyne C. Velayo, Vice Mayor of Basco, the capital of the Batanes Islands, on February 3, 2025)
(Visiting Associate Professor Noel Christian Moratilla, Dean of theAC UP, Professor Joefe Santarita, and Associate Professor Ariel C. Lopezof the AC UPon February 5, 2025)
(VisitingCarlos C. Tabunda, Dean of the SoIR NEU, and Rommel C, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the China Studies Center ta the SoIR NEU on February 7, 2025)
(Giving a lecture for faculty and students of the SoIR NEU on February 7, 2025)
