Taiwan is poised to expand its economic footprint and people-to-people links with the Philippines in 2026, building on a year of growing momentum in trade, investment, and community engagement between the two sides.
This upbeat outlook was delivered by Taiwan’s Representative to the Philippines, Wallace M. G. Chow, during a New Year flag-raising ceremony held on January 1 in Carmona City, Cavite.
The event, organized by the Taiwanese Chamber of the South Philippines (TCSPI), brought together nearly 200 members of the Taiwanese business community, civic leaders, and local partners to usher in the year ahead.
Chow said 2025 marked a turning point in Taiwan–Philippines cooperation, with stronger institutional ties and more frequent exchanges setting the stage for faster growth in 2026. He emphasized that the active participation of the overseas Taiwanese community has been central to sustaining bilateral relations and translating policy initiatives into concrete business opportunities.
Recent developments have added to this momentum. Chow pointed to expanded official exchanges, visa-free entry arrangements for Taiwanese travelers, and a series of large-scale Taiwanese trade and investment missions to key Philippine hubs, including Subic, Clark, and Metro Manila.
These efforts are opening doors for deeper collaboration in manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and technology—sectors seen as critical to both economies.
TCSPI President Jeff Yu said the annual flag-raising ceremony symbolizes the unity and resilience of the Taiwanese community in the Philippines, particularly in southern Luzon, where many Taiwanese firms have operated for two to three decades. These businesses, he noted, have contributed to local development while navigating global economic headwinds.
The event was also attended by officials from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, volunteer officers of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council, and leaders from major Taiwanese and Filipino-Chinese organizations—underscoring broad-based support for a deeper, more dynamic Taiwan–Philippines partnership in the year ahead.
