THE Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) pays special tribute to Filipinos who have made efforts through time to strengthen friendly ties and promote mutual understanding between the Philippines and China using their respective advocacies and expertise in the various fields and disciplines of mass media and public service; trade and commerce; and arts, culture and the sciences.

Besides the Hall of Fame category, which acknowledges the prestige and stature of the individual, and the immense effort of work the individual has done over time, as may be evidenced by the extent of reach, impact, and reception of the work(s) by communities and societies, APPCU bestows the Gawad Sultan Paduka Pahala Special Award to the late Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago 'Chito' Sta. Romana.