A recent forum hosted by a group closely linked to the Chinese Communist Party that opposes Taiwan’s independence has come under scrutiny amid concerns over foreign influence.

The Philippine Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China (PCPPRC) convened more than 300 representatives of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification from across Asia in October at the Century Park Hotel in Manila. The participants of the forum, which called for Taiwan’s “peaceful reunification with China,” included experts, scholars, teachers, and members of overseas Chinese communities. 

Philippine authorities are taking a cautious approach, according to Cornelio Valencia Jr., National Security Council assistant director general and spokesperson.

“The security sector is cautious and attentive. While the forum was conducted openly and without any reported violation of Philippine laws, its themes, affiliations, and messaging are being examined as part of broader assessments of foreign influence activities in the region,” Valencia said, adding:

“At this point, the assessment does not warrant alarm, but it reinforces the need for heightened vigilance, improved inter-agency coordination, and stronger legal and policy frameworks to address foreign interference and influence operations.”

Valencia said authorities have not received reports of covert influence operations linked to the group. “But we cannot discount it. And it may be too early to say,” he said.

China has vowed to pursue what it calls “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan while reserving the right to use force because it considers the self-governing island part of its territory. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

During the October forum, then PCPPRC president George Tiu described the situation surrounding Taiwan as “complex and severe.” He urged overseas Chinese communities to “unite as one” in opposing “any form of Taiwan independence,” echoing official Chinese government positions.

The forum took place amid increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan and expanding low-profile security ties between Manila and Taipei. The Philippines’ main island of Luzon lies only a few hundred kilometers from Taiwan. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said Manila would be involved in any Taiwan conflict due to its proximity and the need to evacuate more than 150,000 Filipinos living and working there.

Analysts who study Chinese overseas influence operations said the PCPPRC serves as a local representative of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification (CCPPNR), which they describe as part of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, and which has more than 90 chapters worldwide.

The Chinese Communist Party’s “united front work” aims to increase support and influence among non-Party people and groups both inside and outside of China in order to push the Party’s goals. But according to critics and some foreign governments, it is used to build political influence, sway public opinion, and expand Beijing’s objectives overseas.

Formed in 2001, the PCPPRC has received limited public attention in the Philippines. It’s business registration documents state that it is a non-stock corporation whose goal is “to promote the Philippines-China relations through culture economic development and promote the charitable activities to help indigent families in the Philippines to support a One-China policy thru peaceful and mutual understanding.” Its board of directors is composed of Filipino and Chinese citizens.

Coverage of the group’s activities has largely appeared in Chinese-Filipino media outlets, Chinese state media, and occasional press releases involving the Chinese embassy. After the US-based nonprofit SeaLight published a report detailing the group’s recent activities, several related posts were taken down from the Manila-based Chinatown News TV’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

The PCPPRC’s most visible local chapters are in Cebu and Mindanao, but it is unclear how many chapters operate nationwide. Most of its publicly reported activities do not involve Philippine politicians, with some exceptions. In 2023, then PCPPRC Mindanao Council president Johnny Go joined a Chinese embassy delegation that visited then Mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte in Davao City. That same year, Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe delivered congratulatory remarks during an anniversary event of the PCPPRC Mindanao chapter.

The PCPPRC did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

Clive Hamilton, author of Silent Invasion, which examines China’s political influence activities in Australia, said security agencies should closely scrutinize organizations associated with the CCPPNR.

“The CCPP is a United Front organization that seeks to conduct influence activities abroad, particularly within Chinese diaspora communities,” Hamilton said. “It works to increase loyalty to Beijing and facilitate political work that advances the [Chinese Communist Party’s] interests. Overseas Chinese involved in these groups are generally trusted by Beijing to do so.”

Compared with its counterparts in countries such as Australia and South Korea, the PCPPRC has maintained a lower public profile, analysts said. In Australia, the local chapter protested a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive South China Sea claims, while the South Korean chapter organized protests that same year against the deployment of the United States’ THAAD missile defense system.

The Philippines currently lacks comprehensive legislation specifically targeting foreign interference and malign influence by external state actors.

SeaLight’s James Carouso and Ray Powell said Australia’s experience could offer lessons for the Philippines. Both previously served as US officials in Canberra.

In an opinion piece recently published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, they noted that Australia enacted counter-interference legislation in 2018 following a series of political influence scandals involving Beijing-linked groups.

“The Philippines is facing a similar moment—one that should not be wasted,” they wrote.

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