 Trade in Manila Bay dates at least 9th to 12th centuries when Manila traded with neighboring countries including China and Japan, with ties to India through the areas that are now Malaysia and Indonesia.During the Spanish Colonial Era of the Philippines Manila handled trade with China and other East Asian countries, with Mexico, with Arab countries, and directly with Spain from the 16th to mid-19th century when the port was opened to all trade.This was the galleon trade that connected the Philippines to Spain via Mexico, another Spanish colony.