The Year 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Philippines and Japan after the ratification of the Peace Treaty and the Reparation Agreement on July 23,1956.

The state visit of U.S. President George W. Bush on October 18,2003 further cemented Philippine-U.S. relations. It came at a time when the world was on the throes of terrorism which upto now remains unyielding. But firm as the terrorists are, the U.S. and its allies (including the Philippines) are just as determined to seek out and destroy their enemies in a kind of warfare that is not conventional and which could not have an end in sight.

The Philippines and the People's Republic of China signed on 09 June 1975 the Joint Communique establishing diplomatic relations between them. Since then, relations between the two countries have evolved into one of the most important bilateral ties the Philippines has forged. The past twenty-five years bear witness to the increasing vibrancy of these relations.

Throughout the twenty-five years, the Philippines and China have exchanged high-level visits such as the State Visits to China of Philippine Presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos, Corazon C. Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Similarly, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Premiers Zhao Ziyang, Li Peng, and Zhu Rongji visited the Philippines. These exchanges illustrate the significant strides already taken in the relationship between the two countries, a relationship firmly guided by the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and equality.

The beginnings of Philippines-Korea relations are rooted in the commitment of both countries to freedom and democracy and in their common desire for peace and development. These values have served to sustain the friendship and cooperation which have characterized their relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on 3 March 1949.

Philippine relations with Thailand are among the oldest and most fruitful in Philippine history. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on 14 June 1949, relations between the two countries have been characterized by cordiality, harmony, and dynamism