In the Ming Dynasty, Sulu Sultan Batara, whose descendants live in today's southern Philippines, sailed across the Pacific, building enduring ties with China. How can this history bolster modern Sino-Philippine relations? 

Princess Jacel Kiram: The story of Sultan Batara and Emperor Yongle is about a friendship that started in 1417. So, it's a long history that we, the Philippines and China, share together. This story brings pride to every Tausug or Sulu people, but not just to the Sulu people. It brings pride to every Filipino people, knowing that in 1521 when we were discovered, it's not true that we came from nothing because we had a government in the form of the Sultan of Sulu that was graciously received as an equal by the emperor during the Ming dynasty.

Liu Xin: So, your history was not defined by the colonizers when you were "discovered" by them. What impact will it have for knowing this story for the ordinary Philippines, for the people in Sulu, for instance? What specific impact do you think it's going to bring them? Because right now, people are very much focused on economics, livelihood…

Princess Jacel Kiram: This also can open economic cooperation because you will not be business partners if you do not trust each other. This story will establish trust in the relationship, in relating with Chinese people, Chinese people relating to Filipino people because they have a bond that started 606 years ago.

The most that would benefit from this story are our next generation. So, we have to let them know that this is their story also, that they had a glorious past, and that they had a leader in the past that already gave importance to international relations, to diplomatic relations. And so that they will continue that friendship, the bond that was established in 1417.