A DECADE after the arbitral award, territorial disputes in the South China Sea remain the most visible fault line in Philippines-China relations. They stir emotions even leading to the use of foul language that fuel nationalist rhetoric and invite legal arguments that often harden positions.
Yet disputes cannot be resolved by hostility alone. They require mutual restraint, an embrace of benevolence or kindness to avoid confrontation.
Benevolence (rén in Chinese, kapwa in Filipino) is the highest virtue, guiding conduct toward harmony and respect.
Applied to diplomacy, benevolence offers the Philippines a way to defend its rights while keeping dialogue alive.
Benevolence as diplomatic principle
Confucius places benevolence at the core of social harmony. In diplomacy, it means treating counterparts with dignity even amid sharp disagreements. For the Philippines, benevolence calls for language that is firm but non-provocative, kind without being malign, sustaining dialogue without inflaming tensions.
Benevolence aligns with the Filipino value of kapwa’t tao, the recognition of shared humanity. Kapwa sees others not as adversaries but as fellow persons whose dignity must be respected. In diplomacy, this means engaging China not only as a strategic counterpart but as a coequal in the pursuit of peace and development.
Together, rén and kapwa provide a framework for peaceful dispute settlement. Benevolence tempers firmness with empathy, while kapwa ensures conflict resolution preserves stable relationships.
Confidence-building beyond maritime disputes
Maritime disputes need not define overall bilateral relations. Benevolence encourages cooperation in nonsensitive areas like marine environmental research and protection, disaster relief, maritime safety and academic exchanges.
These initiatives remind both nations that cooperation is possible even when sovereignty claims remain contested. Confidence-building measures create habits of cooperation that can spill over into harder issues.
Human-centered engagement
Benevolence, with kapwa and rén, emphasizes human connections in international relations. People-to-people exchanges, cultural ties and economic partnerships highlight the broader relationship beyond disputes.
Filipinos and Chinese have centuries of interaction through trade, migration and cultural exchange. Elevating these ties reminds both governments that citizens benefit more from cooperation than confrontation.
Dr. Enrico Gloria captured this in his 2026 graduation speech at Tsinghua University, drawing parallels between kapwa and rén, stressing that both traditions recognize empathy, humaneness and moral responsibility as the foundation of community. In this context, benevolence means prioritizing human connections over nationalist posturing.
Strategic benefits of restraint
By practicing benevolence, the Philippines strengthens its moral high ground. It tempers nationalist rhetoric, reduces the risk of escalation and preserves legal positions under international law.
Benevolence does not erase sovereignty claims or the arbitral award. But it changes the tone of engagement. It makes disputes less likely to spiral into hostility and opens space for practical cooperation such as joint development of marine resources.
Why benevolence matters now
The Philippines faces a delicate balancing act of asserting its rights under international law while maintaining constructive ties with China. In this context, benevolence is a pragmatic act. It allows Manila to pursue cooperation in areas of mutual benefit while keeping disputes manageable.
Benevolence is not naïveté but a diplomatic asset that enhances the Philippines’ standing as a responsible actor.
Historical context of Confucian thought
In traditional Chinese statecraft, Confucian thought on benevolence was essential to maintaining order and legitimacy. By grounding foreign policy in benevolence, the Philippines can draw on the indigenous concept of kapwa to resonate with values deeply embedded in China’s worldview.
This cultural alignment strengthens the case for dialogue and cooperation, positioning kindness not merely as a moral imperative but as a strategic tool for diplomacy to settle disputes.
Conclusion
Benevolence is often underestimated in foreign policy, yet it is precisely what the Philippines needs in managing relations with China. Benevolence does not mean surrendering claims or silencing criticism. Rather, it embodies a posture that de-escalates disputes, sustains dialogue and projects moral authority.
In a region where mistrust can harden into confrontation, benevolence can offer a pragmatic option. The Philippines must recognize benevolence as a strategic choice that secures peace while defending sovereignty.
Rommel C. Banlaoi is the director of the Philippines-China Studies Center at Diliman College and president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies.
