Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian reported that there were 75,000 Chinese tourists who visited the Philippines in the first five months of 2023 as the country’s tourism department aims to target two million by end of this year. Chinese tourists in the Philippines (Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism) In a Facebook post, the envoy took pride as “Chinese international tourism makes a strong comeback in Southeast Asia!,” owing to the recent announcement of the Thai government that it received one million Chinese tourists from January to May 2023. “Southeast Asia has been the Chinese people's top tourist destination since reopening, and have delivered many immediate benefits in the industry and people-to-people exchanges,” he said on Sunday, June 25. “In the first five months, the Philippines received 75,000 Chinese tourists, reinvigorating many of the country's world-class beaches and scenic landmarks,” Huang added. The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) has recently announced it is targeting two million Chinese tourists when electronic visas (e-visas) become available by the end of the year. The ambassador shared that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed “to deepen people-to-people exchanges between our two countries in all respects” during a meeting earlier this year. “It is hoped that China-Philippine people-to-people exchanges achieve the goals set by the leaders at an early date and even reach greater heights,” Huang wrote. “Our countries have been working together in the tourism industry, among many other sectors, and I hope it strengthens our relations and lead to greater mutual benefits in the future!,” he added.