The international tribunal ruling on the South China Sea dispute has generated a lot of speculations regarding the future of the Philippines’ trade relationship with China, but some Filipino businessmen believe that not much has changed.
Alfredo Yao of Zest-O Corp. expects it will be business as usual for their company. “It will have no effect,” said the Zesto-O chairman and president referring to their operations in China’s carbonated beverage market.
Carlos Chan of Liwayway Marketing Corporation also maintains a positive outlook on the country’s trade relationship with China. Chan said that the Philippine-China relationship is multifaceted. He believes that economic and cultural exchanges will not be affected despite the South China Sea ruling.
Earlier this year, the Liwayway Group completed a $13 million acquisition of Spain’s Cola Cao business in China.
