（Group photo at the opening ceremony of the XMU Workshop on Philippine Studies: Area and Countrv Studies Perspectives）

(Ribbon-cutting ceremony inauguration of the Center for Philippine Studies)

(Group photo at the book launch of New Exploration of Philippine History)

（Photo during the meeting）

On December 20, 2025, the School of International Relations / Research School for Southeast Asian Studies of Xiamen University successfully hosted the XMU Workshop on Philippine Studies: Area and Country Studies Perspectives. The workshop brought together more than thirty senior, mid-career, and early-career scholars from China and the Philippines for academic exchange at Xiamen University.

At the opening ceremony, Professor Gao Yanjie, Dean of the School of International Relations / Research School for Southeast Asian Studies of Xiamen University, delivered a welcome address, emphasizing the importance of Philippine studies for understanding Southeast Asia’s history, politics, regional security, and social governance. He expressed the hope that the newly established Philippine Studies Center would strengthen academic exchange and cooperation with scholars at home and abroad, contributing to the advancement of Philippine studies in China.

Dr. Rommel Banlaoi, Director of the Philippine–China Relations Research Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman, congratulated the establishment of the Center and expressed his expectation for deeper cooperation in academic exchange, joint research, and scholarly dialogue to promote mutual understanding between China and the Philippines.

During the ceremony, Professor Gao Yanjie and Dr. Banlaoi jointly unveiled the plaque of the Philippine Studies Center, and Professor Bao Maohong officially launched his new book, A New Interpretation of Philippine History.

Following the opening ceremony, scholars from China and the Philippines delivered presentations on topics including China–Philippines relations, Philippine domestic politics and foreign policy, geopolitics, Belt and Road–related comparative studies, Philippine history, and the digital economy.

In the afternoon sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on Philippine politics, economy, history, and culture, overseas Chinese communities, and people-to-people exchanges, sharing recent research findings.

At the closing ceremony, Professor Shi Xueqin, Director of the Philippine Studies Center, reviewed Xiamen University’s academic tradition in Philippine studies and highlighted its long-standing exchanges with Philippine institutions. She emphasized the Center’s mission to build on this foundation and contribute to deeper mutual understanding and the healthy development of China–Philippines relations.

Sidney Christopher Ting Bata, Senior Lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, congratulated the establishment of the Center and expressed his hope that continued academic cooperation and the cultivation of young scholars would further advance Philippine studies in both countries.