VDM Mercado, K: China-ASEAN Economic Relations

The China-ASEAN relations has evolved through the years from essentially economic partnership to non-traditional cooperation as well in the same mode that Adam Smith in his book Wealth of Nations described the effects of trade and investments not only to socio-economic order but also the security of individuals and state. The relationship has traversed the realm of commerce to non-traditional areas of cooperation like security, conflict resolutions, humanitarian missions, among others. Joint agreements were signed between ASEAN member states and China with regard to increased trade and settlement of disputes like the South China Sea. The Philippines as a member state was able to optimize its gains in the China-ASEAN relations with the increase in bilateral trade and investments, as well as defense, socio-cultural, and educational relations. Undoubtedly, the subsequent deepening of engagement between China and the Philippines is mutually beneficial to the two countries' national interests.