As an ancient proverb goes, “A relative afar is less useful than a close neighbor.” Taiwan and the Philippines have long been important close neighbors enjoying cordial bilateral ties and inextricable bond.
Taiwan and the Philippines are closer than one can imagine. It takes only one hour and 45 minutes by airplane to travel between Taipei and Manila. An urban legend even states that one can hear a rooster crow in Batanes from the southernmost tip of Taiwan.
Taiwan and the Philippines are not only geographically close to each other, more importantly, both also share common values of freedom, democracy, free media, rule of law, civil society, and similar Austronesian culture. In addition, Taiwanese and Filipinos share common traits of being friendly, optimistic, courteous, caring, and hardworking.
The Philippines has been prioritized by the Republic of China (Taiwan) government as the gateway to ASEAN countries under the “New Southbound Policy,” based on which, Taiwan hopes to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines in various fields including trade and investment, agriculture, technology, small and medium enterprises, technology, green technology, climate change, as well as education, culture, and people-to-people interactions and exchanges.
Taiwan and the Philippines also share close economic ties. In 2023, Taiwan was Philippines’ 9th largest trading partner, 8th largest export market and 10th largest source of imports. The bilateral trade volume reached US$7.41 billion.
With respect to tourism, to continue to enhance the two countries’ bilateral relations and cooperation as well as people-to-people exchange and connectivity, Taiwan has extended the visa-free entry program for Filipinos to July 31, 2025. This program is a display of Taiwan’s goodwill and friendship towards all Filipinos under Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy.”
Since Taiwan’s border was reopened on 13 October 2022 and the implementation of the visa-free entry program for Filipinos, the number of Philippine visitors to Taiwan has grown rapidly. The total number of arrivals from the Philippines to Taiwan reaches 350,000 in 2023. From January to July 2024, there are more than 264,000 Filipino travelers visiting Taiwan.
Taiwan is the host to more than 150,000 Filipino workers, who are treated with dignity and respect and are well protected under the law in Taiwan. They are guaranteed by the Republic of China (Taiwan) national minimum wage required by law and receive the same national health insurance as the ROC nationals do. Taiwanese deeply appreciate their hardworking and contribution to Taiwan’s economic development and growth.
