Baoding, Hebei, China — Marking the 50th anniversary of the China-Philippines diplomatic relations, climate advocacy groups, renewable energy professionals, and industry representatives from both countries gathered in Baoding, Hebei Province for the “Same Sunlight, Shared Future: China-Philippines Green Energy Partnership through Capacity-Building in PV Technology” workshop.
Chinese and Filipino delegates join together for the Same Sunlight, Shared Future: China-Philippines Green Energy Partnership through Capacity-Building in PV Technology Workshop in Baoding, Hebei, China.
Co-organized by Manila-based People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) and Yingli Group, one of China’s first and leading solar companies, the four-day workshop aims to enhance technical expertise in photovoltaic (PV) technologies while fostering long-term collaboration between Chinese and Philippine renewable energy sectors. Twenty participants, including solar business start-ups and local government unit leaders, from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, visited solar manufacturing facilities, solar farm and solar power application sites, and gained insights into China’s solar policy evolution, off-grid distributed PV systems, and future trends of zero-carbon building applications.
“This workshop is actually a very pivotal moment in terms of how we want to push and to really emphasize the importance of renewable energy in the Philippines. We aim to enhance ourselves in terms of how we train, how we advocate, and how we represent renewable energy in the Philippines. We want to make sure that we all have the same goal, which is to sustain life on Earth through clean and renewable energy. With this partnership, we can go way beyond what we are doing today, and we can guarantee that we will push even harder to make our country a sustainable one,” said Richmond Reyes, one of the Filipino delegates and President of EcoSolutions Philippines.
The Philippines holds vast potential for solar energy development, with some of the highest solar irradiation, or the amount of solar energy received on a specific area over a given period of time, levels in Southeast Asia, averaging 5.1 kWh per square meter daily according to the Department of Energy. Recognizing this advantage, the Philippine government has set its renewable energy target to 35% of the power generation mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040, in line with its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Recent policies and large-scale projects, including the approval of the world’s largest solar facility in Luzon, signal the country’s strong commitment to expanding clean energy access and achieving energy security while reducing carbon emissions.
The workshop builds on PACS’ long-standing efforts to strengthen capacity and promote technology exchange in the clean energy sector. PACS has organized several learning programs, including training trips to Jiangsu Province, where participants gained firsthand exposure to China’s green energy development and manufacture. Through its Future Renewable Energy Engineer (FREE) Program, PACS is also supporting young professionals across Asia in developing technical expertise and leadership in sustainable energy. These initiatives underscore PACS’ commitment to empowering the next generation of climate and energy leaders through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and people-centered capacity building.
This initiative also comes shortly after China’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) were announced in September 2025, which reaffirms its commitment to global climate leadership. In his speech President Xi Jinping called for international cooperation in green technology and industry to fill the gap in global green capacity. The workshop is a concrete realization of that call.
“The workshop opened my eyes about how advanced China is in terms of their solar technologies. Also, I appreciate the recycling facilities that they have already set up, because this remains a challenge in the Philippines. While solar technologies can be seen as costly by many, I'd like to emphasize that the benefits outweigh the initial investment, especially for a climate-vulnerable country like the Philippines,” said Irish Saludar-Garcia of 10k GDC Solar.
The workshop provides a platform for Chinese and Philippine renewable energy companies to explore potential collaborations on clean energy projects and technology exchange.
“This workshop is a practical exchange of ideas and experiences where Filipinos can learn directly from China’s renewable energy experts. This is a very good example of cooperation and collaboration. While there may be challenging days, there is always hope and amid the noise, Filipinos are quietly doing the work, learning new skills, and building partnerships that make our future brighter,” said Consul General Rodillo Catalan of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in China.
Minister and Consul General Rodillo Catalan of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in China highlights five decades of
China–Philippines friendship and shared commitment to climate action.
For PACS, the event highlights the importance of regional cooperation in building capacity for climate resilience and sustainable growth.
“I urge all our participants to return to the Philippines with a renewed sense of purpose, to turn our discussions and ideas into tangible solar projects. Our efforts in renewable energy are not just about economic growth. They are about saving our climate for future generations. Together, let us embrace this challenge and work hand in hand to make a significant impact,” said PACS Organizational Development Director Oscar Gabriel Jr.
Beyond the lectures and classroom discussions, participants experienced firsthand China’s innovations
in zero-carbon infrastructure through a series of field visits.
By sharing lessons and experiences under the same sunlight, China and the Philippines reaffirm their shared vision that aligns with global climate goals, strengthen regional partnerships, and illuminates a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.
Media Contact:
Leovy C. Ramirez (she/her)
Communications Officer
People of Asia for Climate Solutions