Since the establishment of Sino-Philippine diplomatic relations on June 9, 1975, the bilateral relations have by and large seen smooth development. The Chinese leaders who have visited the Philippines are as follows: Premier Li Peng (in Dec. 1990), chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Qiao Shi (in 1993), President Jiang Zemin (in 1996), Vice-Chairman of the SC of the NPC Xei Fei (in 1998), and Premier Zhu Rongji (in 1999). Following are the Philippine leaders who have visited China: President Marcos (in 1975), President Aquino (in 1988), President Ramos (in 1993), Vice-President Estrada (in 1994), Senate Chairman Neptali A. Gonzales (in 1995), Senate Chairman Ernesto M. Maceda(in1997),Vice-President Arroyo (in 2000), President Estrada (in 2000), and President Arroyo (in 2001).
In January 2002, State Councilor cum Secretary-General of the State Council Wang Zhongyu visited the Philippines. In April, Chairman of the Philippine House of Representatives Jose de Venecia came to attend the 3rd annual meeting of the Peace Association of the Asian Parliaments. In September, Chairman Li Peng paid an official goodwill visit to the Philippines. In March, 2003, the first Philippine trade fair was held in Shanghai, Chairman of the Philippine House of Representatives Jose de Venecia came to Shanghai as head of his government delegation to participate in the activities concerned.
The two countries set up the mechanism for diplomatic consultation in 1986, and 13 rounds of diplomatic consultations have been held. Apart from its respective embassy established in the other country, China has opened its consulate-general in Cebu and the Philippines its consulates-general in Xiamen, Guanzhou, Hong Kong and Macao. In July 2002, the latter opened another consulate-general in Shanghai.
According to the instruction of President Arroyo, the date of the establishment of Sino-Philippine diplomatic relations was made the Day of Philippine-Chinese Friendship.